Survivor of Nova massacre takes his own life, two years after October 7 massacre

Roei Shalev, a survivor of the October 7, 2023, Nova music festival massacre whose partner, Mapal Adam, was murdered that day, took his own life last night.

He was found in a burning car on a highway exit near Netanya. Israel Police says an investigation has been opened into the circumstances of his death.

Shalev was wounded in the Hamas-led attack on the Nova festival near Re’im, and his friends said he never recovered from the trauma or from the loss of Adam. His mother took her own life several days after the massacre.

Shortly before his death, Shalev posted a message on social media saying he “couldn’t go on” and asking for forgiveness. Concerned friends and members of the Nova community launched a search after he failed to respond to calls.

CCTV showed him at a gas station filling a canister with fuel. His car was found burning, and the firefighters subsequently found his body in the vehicle. He was declared dead immediately.

The Shalev family announces his death in a statement, asking “to refrain from contact.” The statement further says details of the funeral “will be provided separately.”

The Nova Tribe Community organization, which represents survivors and families of the victims of the festival massacre, says in a statement it was “bowing its head with hearts shattered into pieces, in the deepest sorrow over the untimely death of our beloved friend Roei Shalev.”

“Roei was one of the pillars of our community, and his death is an incomprehensible loss,” the organization says. “We ask to remember him in his most beautiful moments — his courageous support of the community, his leadership as captain of the Nova Tribe basketball team, and his devotion to helping friends in their most difficult times.”

The organization also urges continued awareness of the mental toll on survivors and bereaved families. “We have endured so much pain in these two years, and we will endure this unimaginable sorrow together as well. Many trauma survivors continue to experience unbearable moments since October 7. We call on everyone to remain vigilant and sensitive to their emotional state,” the statement says.

Friends who joined the search for Shalev describe him as a warm and devoted member of the Nova community who “gave strength to everyone else while quietly carrying immense pain.”

His death comes amid ongoing efforts by the Nova community to support hundreds of survivors of the massacre, which claimed the lives of 364 people and left many others injured and traumatized.