Israeli vacationer robbed, murdered in Las Vegas

In a separate incident, the body of Israeli-Ukrainian dual citizen Illya Rechytskyy, 65, from Ofakim, west of Beersheva, was found on Aug. 1 in Whistler, British Columbia.

By JNS

An Israeli man in his 40s was robbed and murdered in Las Vegas while on vacation, authorities said on Monday.

His body was found inside a vehicle about 15 minutes away from the city’s tourist hub.

A Chabad-Lubavitch emissary in Las Vegas said that the Israeli came to the city for vacation and stayed at a local hotel, the report added.

Attempts to prevent an autopsy were made, and with the cooperation of local authorities, the body was flown to Israel for burial less than 24 hours after it was found, Israeli broadcaster Channel 14 reported.

In a separate incident, the body of Israeli-Ukrainian dual citizen Illya Rechytskyy, 65, from Ofakim, west of Beersheva, was found on Aug. 1 in Whistler, British Columbia, following a month-long search by rescue teams and volunteers.

Rechytskyy apparently drowned in the Cheakamus River during a hike.

He was visiting his family in Vancouver in June, but his stay was extended after his return flight was canceled due to the Israel-Iran war. Rechytskyy went for a hike on July 1 on a marked trail that he had taken many times before, family members said.

His clothes and personal belongings were found on the side of the river, prompting authorities to launch intensive search efforts.

Last week, his body surfaced in Daisy Lake, having been swept away by the river’s current, his family said.