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Vienna disappearance, no crime
Israeli mother Mali Yahalomi, 50, and her daughter Liel Yahalomi, 23, have been missing in Vienna since Friday, and Vienna police told Kronen Zeitung there is “no indication of a criminal offense” in their disappearance.
“There is “no indication of a criminal offense” in the disappearance of Mali Yahalomi, 50, and her daughter Liel, 23”
Vienna police spokesman Markus Dittrich said “an internal investigation, inquiries with hospitals and the like have been opened in cooperation with the Israeli diplomatic mission in Austria,” while the family said it did not receive an update from police about cellphone location tracking.
The reports described cellphone location tracking indicating the Sabbath-observant women were last seen during Shabbat near the city train station, an open area that includes a municipal park.
Family members went Sunday to the Modi’in police station to file a missing persons report, which was forwarded to the police’s international division in the investigations branch that activated police officials in Austria.
Mali’s brother Moshe said Wednesday morning, “the situation is obviously not very good,” adding that on Friday they were “perfectly fine” and “did not share their plans with us.”
Ben Gvir and police
Israel National News said a police meeting and situation assessment on Wednesday evening was led by Israel Police Commissioner Superintendent-General Danny Levy, with the commissioner presented a review of investigative measures and intelligence operations locally and internationally.
At the same time, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir spoke by telephone with members of the Yahalomi family, telling them, “I will do everything in my power to help and, with God’s help, bring them home safe and sound,” while saying he would personally follow and oversee the case.
The Jerusalem Post reported that concern was growing because Mali and Liel failed to board a scheduled return flight from Prague, which was set to depart at 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday night.
The Jerusalem Post also said the vacation apartment where they had been staying in Vienna was found empty of their belongings, and that as of Wednesday family members had not yet been questioned by Austrian police.
The Jerusalem Post added that contact with authorities was being conducted solely through the Israeli consulate, with the investigation transferred to the Vienna Police's central unit and no official announcement issued by Austrian authorities as of Wednesday afternoon.
Search expands, no leads
World Israel News said fears were mounting for Mali Yahalomi, 50, and Liel Yahalomi, 23, who vanished without a trace during a vacation to Europe, with relatives saying there was “absolutely no lead” as of Wednesday morning.
“Vienna Chabad emissary Rabbi Reuven Timsit said there was still “absolutely no lead” explaining what happened to them”
Vienna Chabad emissary Rabbi Reuven Timsit said there was “absolutely no lead” explaining what happened to them despite an expanding search, and he described investigators initially considering whether the women might have visited the local Chabad center.
The same report said more than 400 travelers had registered for Shabbat meals at the Chabad House that weekend, but neither woman appeared on the registration lists or on the center’s security cameras.
Enlace Judío reported that Israel’s representative at Europol arrived in Vienna on Tuesday to assist, and that the phones of the mother and daughter were located on Saturday near a train station area that includes a park.
Enlace Judío also quoted a police source saying, “This is a completely innocent visit. There is no reason for them to disappear,” while adding that authorities considered a car accident possibility that was ruled out after it was discovered they were traveling by train.
