Suspect confesses to double murder in Netanya homeless shelter

Police say Beit Yael resident killed center’s manager after stabbing roommate a few days ago, tried to set fire to himself after arrest

Police at the scene of a suspected murder in Beit Yael homeless shelter in Netanya on August 2, 2018. (Screen capture: Ynet news)
Police at the scene of a suspected murder in Beit Yael homeless shelter in Netanya on August 2, 2018. (Screen capture: Ynet news)

A man confessed to murdering the manager and a fellow resident in a homeless shelter and drug rehabilitation center in the northern city of Netanya on Thursday.

At a hearing in the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court the following day, the suspect, a former resident at the Beit Yael center, admitted to killing the manager, 58-year-old Avi Vanunu, and a fellow resident, who was not named.

The court also heard that the suspect tried to set himself on fire after his arrest.

During the hearing it emerged that the suspect allegedly stabbed his roommate several days ago, and subsequently poured gasoline over the body to cover the smell of decay.

When Vanunu came to the room looking for the roommate, the suspect allegedly hit him over the head with a blunt instrument, killing him too.

The suspect is to be sent for psychiatric evaluation. His lawyer, Avi Cohen, said that he had spent a long time in a psychiatric facility, and was released two years ago for ongoing treatment.

Hebrew media reports said the suspect suffered from schizophrenia, and that he was sent to the Beit Yael center by social services because there was no appropriate facility that could take him.

Avi Vanunu, manager of Beit Yael homeless shelter who was murdered on August 2, 2018. (courtesy of the family)

“I wonder how he was released [from psychiatric care] in light of his condition,” Cohen said in an interview after the hearing. “Beit Yael is a homeless shelter, not a place for those who need medical treatment.”

Cohen said that the suspect had a master’s degree in physics, and had worked for many years as a computer programmer. However, he was forced to give up his job a decade ago as his mental health declined, Walla news reported.

Vanunu’s nephew said his uncle had dedicated his life to helping others.

“He personally helped thousands of teens and drug addicts,” he said. “All his life he was involved in giving and helping others.”

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