Major Breakthrough in 2019 Murder of Evyatar Azarzar: Four Suspects Arrested
Police have made a dramatic breakthrough in a cold case that has haunted the Haredi community for years. On Sunday, April 12, 2026, detectives from the Tel Aviv District Major Crimes Unit arrested four suspects on suspicion of involvement in the 2019 murder of 18-year-old Evyatar Azarzar.
The arrests follow years of intensive investigation by the Central Investigative Unit (YAMAR). According to Israel National News, some of the suspects are well-known to law enforcement and have previously served prison sentences for other crimes. The suspects are scheduled to appear in court today for hearings regarding the extension of their detention.
The Disappearance and Discovery
The case began in late 2019 when Evyatar Azarzar, a resident of Bnei Brak and a member of a prominent Haredi family from the Ramot neighborhood in Jerusalem, vanished. His disappearance sparked three weeks of desperate and extensive searches, during which his father, Rabbi Eliyahu Azarzar—head of the ‘Da’at Chochma’ Yeshiva—made emotional public pleas for information.
The search ended in tragedy on December 27, 2019, the eve of Shabbat Zot Chanukah. A volunteer from the ZAKA jeep unit discovered Azarzar’s body in a pit in an open area near the Morasha Junction and the Ramat HaSharon cemetery. His body was riddled with bullets, indicating he had been shot at close range.
Investigation Theory: The “Honey Trap”
Investigators have long operated under the suspicion that Azarzar, who had been studying in a yeshiva months prior to his death, was lured into a “honey trap” setup. Police believe criminal elements lured the teenager to the secluded area at the Morasha Junction, where assassins were waiting to execute him.
The discovery of a motorcycle at the crime scene led investigators to assess that the murder was carried out within the context of a criminal dispute. For years, the Tel Aviv Central Investigative Unit conducted clandestine operations to solve the mystery, while the court maintained a strict gag order on investigative details—including a rare 180-day extension—to protect the integrity of the probe.
Key Takeaways: The Azarzar Case
- Victim: Evyatar Azarzar, an 18-year-old from Bnei Brak/Jerusalem.
- Crime Date: Disappeared late 2019; body found December 27, 2019.
- Location: A pit near the cemetery at Morasha Junction.
- Recent Action: Four suspects arrested on April 12, 2026.
- Lead Theory: A “honey trap” setup resulting from a criminal dispute.
- Investigating Body: Tel Aviv District Major Crimes Unit / YAMAR.
Family Legacy and Memorial
Despite the silence surrounding the investigation, the Azarzar family has continued to honor Evyatar’s memory. Three years ago, during the eve of Shavuot, the family held an emotional ceremony in Jerusalem to dedicate a Torah scroll in his memory, attended by prominent public figures and rabbis, as reported by JFeed.
With the recent arrests and the lifting of certain investigative barriers, the case moves toward a judicial phase as police seek to hold those responsible for the teenager’s death accountable.
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