Forensic Report Fails to Determine Cause of Eldar Dayan's Death, Complicating Murder Investigation

After 18 days of examination, the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute was unable to determine the cause of death of Eldar Dayan, a young man from Dimona whose remains were found in a severely decomposed state. The forensic team could not perform a standard autopsy due to the partial skeleton condition of the remains, which were likely disturbed by animals and exposed to decay fluids. This lack of conclusive forensic evidence means investigators cannot definitively establish how Dayan died, complicating efforts to link the death to the suspected criminal acts.

The police have received the full forensic report, which states that it is impossible to confirm whether Dayan suffered injuries such as stab wounds or head trauma, as the remains do not show clear signs. A source involved in the investigation explained that without a medical cause of death, proving what happened in Dayan’s final hours and whether his death resulted from a criminal act will be challenging. The source added that the only way to confirm the cause might be if someone confesses, though this is considered unlikely.

This development comes at a critical point in the investigation, as two suspects, Omri Peretz and Maxim Barberman, remain in custody on suspicion of premeditated murder. Their current detention period is nearing its 30-day limit, prompting prosecutors and investigators to assess whether the evidence is sufficient to maintain the murder charges. If not, they may need to reduce or alter the charges to focus on the violent events preceding Dayan’s disappearance.

The investigation centers on a violent altercation involving Dayan and several others in Hod Hasharon, after which Dayan was last seen leaving the scene with Peretz and Barberman. Surveillance footage shows the three together before splitting up near a gas station, after which Dayan’s movements become unclear. Authorities continue to investigate whether Dayan was injured during the fight, how his condition changed afterward, and the role alcohol may have played. However, without forensic confirmation of cause of death, these remain unverified leads.

The police recently conducted confrontations between the suspects to clarify the events, but Peretz and Barberman have largely maintained their versions. The upcoming decision on extending their detention or adjusting charges will depend heavily on the circumstantial evidence gathered so far, as the forensic report leaves a significant gap in the case.