Police have identified the body found near the Yarkon Interchange as 23-year-old Eldar Dayan, missing since mid-July. The remains, in an advanced state of decomposition, were sent to the L. Greenberg Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir for identification and cause-of-death analysis. The investigation has been transferred to the Central District and is led by the Sharon District Central Unit; two friends have been detained on suspicion of obstructing the probe. Dayan’s family say they first learned of the discovery from media reports and criticized police notification procedures.
Body of Missing 23-Year-Old Eldar Dayan Identified Near Petah Tikva After Nearly Three Weeks
Eldar Dayan. (photo credit: SOCIAL MEDIA)
Police confirmed on Thursday that a body recovered earlier in the day near the Yarkon Interchange has been identified as 23-year-old Eldar Dayan, a Dimona resident who had been missing since mid-July.
The remains, which were in an advanced state of decomposition, were found in an open area during organized searches and were transferred to the L. Greenberg Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir for formal identification and a forensic examination to determine the cause and circumstances of death.
At the time of the police statement, authorities had not released a cause of death and said they had not publicly confirmed any evidence pointing to a criminal act.
Investigation and Search Efforts
The inquiry into Dayan’s disappearance was moved from the Dimona Police Station to the Central District, with the Sharon District Central Unit taking the lead after investigators said the lines of inquiry and searches conducted by the Dimona station had been exhausted. Thursday’s search operation included the Sharon Central Unit, Petah Tikva police, Border Police officers and volunteer searchers.
Security and rescue forces at the scene where a body was found in the Yarkon River in Tel Aviv, central Israel, August 6, 2026. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)
Police say Dayan traveled to central Israel with two friends in mid-July. He was last officially reported seen near Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park on July 17; later surveillance footage showed him at a gas station in the Petah Tikva area on July 18, shortly before contact was lost. According to the family, Dayan sent messages to his girlfriend indicating a disturbance and that he would speak with her later; his phone was subsequently switched off and he did not contact family or friends again.
Evidence Found And Detentions
Investigators located an abandoned, damaged vehicle in the Petah Tikva area. The car reportedly had a broken windshield and traces of blood inside. Police said they were examining whether the vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run or another vehicle-related incident following an altercation involving Dayan and his companions, but stressed that this remained a working theory and had not been established.
Two of Dayan’s friends were detained after investigators said they gave conflicting accounts of events surrounding his disappearance. Their detention was extended on suspicion of obstructing the investigation and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Family Reaction: Before the official identification was completed, Dayan’s family said they learned of a body being found through media reports rather than directly from police. Attorney Sapir Pardo, who represents the family, criticized the notification process and said the family would await the forensic findings before drawing conclusions. Police did not respond to that criticism in their public statement.
The investigation remains active. Authorities have appealed for anyone with information to contact the Sharon District Central Unit as forensic results and further inquiries continue to clarify the circumstances of Dayan’s death.
Help us improve.
