Hasidic man from Brooklyn found dead in Colombia; initial probe suggests he was killed in a robbery

A member of the Belz Hasidic community from New York was killed while traveling in Colombia, authorities confirmed yesterday.

The victim, identified as Rabbi Nachum Israel Eber, 51, had traveled to Colombia for a visit when contact with his family was lost.

After several days of searching, he was found dead in a remote area, with signs of violence on his body, according to officials. Preliminary findings indicate that Eber was attacked by a local criminal group in what authorities believe was a robbery. He was killed at the scene, and the assailants fled.

Authorities in Colombia continue to investigate the death, while coordinating with Israeli and Jewish officials, according to reports.

Eber is survived by his immediate family and 16 siblings living in Belz communities across the United States, Canada and Israel.

Members of ZAKA, together with members of the local Jewish community, are working with Colombian authorities to secure the release of the body and expedite legal procedures, the organization says.

“This is a difficult and painful incident of a Jew murdered far from home,” says Yossi Landau, a member of its international unit. “We thank the local Jewish community in Colombia and all those working to bring him to Jewish burial as soon as possible.”

✡️ HEARTBREAKING: Tragedy struck the Boro Park community on Monday morning as the horrific news arrived of the petirah of R’ Nachum Yisrael Eber, Hy”d, 51, a respected member of the Belzer kehillah. R’ Nachum was the victim of a brutal murder reportedly at the hands of a violent… pic.twitter.com/mRd9j3a0y4

— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) April 27, 2026