Ex-cop with PTSD dies of wounds after self-immolating outside top defense official’s home last month

The scene where a former police officer suffering from PTSD set himself on fire outside the home of a senior official from the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department, in the community of Neve Ilan, October 31, 2025. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
The scene where a former police officer suffering from PTSD set himself on fire outside the home of a senior official from the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department, in the community of Neve Ilan, October 31, 2025. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)

A former policeman who set himself on fire outside the home of a senior official in the Defense Ministry’s rehabilitation department last month has died of his injuries, Hebrew outlets report.

Vital Mishayev, a 46-year-old divorcee and father of three, was left with post-traumatic stress disorder and a physical disability after a mentally unstable man hit him with a rock while on patrol.

Mishayev was recognized as disabled by the Defense Ministry’s rehabilitation department due to mild-to-moderate PTSD alongside a physical disability, according to Army Radio.

For the past two years, he had reportedly demanded that the department recognize him as fully disabled, which would entitle him to housing.

The Ynet news site reported that he had been homeless and sleeping outside the defense official’s home for several months. Efforts to find him assistance and housing had failed.

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