The case of missing Israelis Mali and Liel Yahalomi was transferred overnight Wednesday to Thursday from Austrian police to Israeli police. The investigation is now being handled by Lahav 433, Israel’s economic crimes unit, based on the understanding that they have the most experience and closest ties with foreign authorities.
The Foreign Ministry and the consulate in Vienna announced two days ago that contact was lost with Mali Yahalomi, 50, and her daughter Liel Yahalomi, 23, who have been listed as missing since last Friday. The two were last seen near the Naschmarkt, Vienna’s central market, and have not been heard from since. Family members have already given detailed testimony to investigators in an effort to reconstruct the women’s movements since that day. A gag order has been imposed on the investigation.