Sex Offender Dies in Custody One Month Into 24-Year Prison Sentence

Aryeh Gottlieb, 76, convicted of severe sexual offenses against an 11-year-old girl, died in custody at the "Magen Nitzan" detention center about a month after beginning his prison sentence. Gottlieb, a chronic patient and sex offender, had been hospitalized at the Prison Service Medical Center since starting his 24-year sentence on July 21, 2026. His sentence was handed down by the Haifa District Court in June 2026, following his conviction for multiple serious sexual crimes committed between 1997 and 2001. The offenses occurred after Gottlieb exploited his relationship with the victim's family, repeatedly abusing the child. The court noted the victim's delayed complaint and the lasting impact of the abuse. Despite Gottlieb's advanced age and medical condition, the judges imposed a lengthy prison term due to the gravity of his crimes. The Prison Service announced it has appointed a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.