Last update - 00:00 27/10/2007
Elderly woman killed in apparent murder-suicide in Holon home
By Roni Singer-Heruti, Haaretz Correspondent
Police in Holon are investigating a possible murder-suicide after discovering the body of an elderly woman, 76, Saturday morning in her apartment.
The deceased's caretaker, a 47-year-old Moldovan national, was found seriously injured on the walkway just outside the apartment building. She was rushed to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer for treatment.
Authorities suspect the caretaker killed the elderly woman, who was found with strangle marks on her neck. Subsequently, the suspect attempted to set fire to the apartment and jumped from the window, police believe.
"At around 7:00 A.M., a report of possible harm to human life was received," said the head of the police's Ayalon District, Commander Yisrael Tal. "Police officers who arrived at the scene noticed the caretaker lying on the sidewalk. When they went up to the apartment, they found the elderly woman dead."
"The caretaker's involvement in the woman's death is currently being examined," Tal added. "In the apartment, there is evidence which points to possible murder, and we are checking if the caretaker attempted to commit suicide, or to escape from the apartment through the window."
Tal said there is no known history of violence or other prior incidences involving the caretaker and her relationship to the woman. Neighbors reported smoke emanating from the apartment, which moved them to notify the fire department. One neighbor said she saw the caretaker climb atop the window sill just as firefighters were attempting to knock down the door to enter the apartment. The neighbor added that she yelled for the caretaker not to jump, but that the caretaker proceeded anyhow.
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