A New York plumber and father-of-four was tragically killed and dismembered during a trip to Colombia to meet his potential new wife, according to friends and local authorities.
Details of the Incident
Nachum Israel Eber, 51, a member of the Boro Park Belz Hasidic community, was found stuffed inside a wardrobe left on a street in Bogotá on Sunday, as reported by the New York Post. A motive has not yet been released, but early reports indicate that Eber may have been targeted by a local criminal gang, possibly in a robbery, according to the Times of Israel. The attackers remain at large.
Victim's Identity and Purpose of Travel
Eber was initially identified as a rabbi, though friends say he worked as a building developer and plumber. He had recently connected with a woman in Bogotá’s Hasidic community and traveled to South America to meet her, his friend Motti Dresdner told The Post. Dresdner expressed his sorrow, stating, “It’s a terrible tragedy. A person, a gentleman in his prime. He was always talking about his future, how he was going to get remarried and find a perfect bride, and have a beautiful life. And to be cut off like this is very sad.”
Sequence of Events
Surveillance footage captured Eber leaving his Airbnb in the Colombian capital around 9 p.m. on April 21. He was not seen again. Days later, passersby reported a bloody wardrobe on the other side of the city from where he vanished. Authorities later confirmed it contained his remains.
Community Reaction
Eber’s killing has sent shockwaves through his community, where efforts are now underway to return his body to the United States for burial. Dresdner described Eber as a kind and positive person, saying, “He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He was always kind, always with a smile. He always spoke positively. In his hardest times, he would always talk about how things are going to work out for the best, he makes the best of everything. He always tried to make lemonade out of lemons.” He added, “The community is devastated, the community is in shock, how a person goes there just to take care of personal business and end up like this. It just makes everything feel unstable.”
Investigation and Response
Colombian law enforcement officials have opened a formal murder investigation as his family works to bring him home, according to The Times of Israel. Yossi Landau, a member of humanitarian volunteer organization ZAKA, stated, “This is a difficult and painful incident of a Jew murdered far from home. We thank the local Jewish community in Colombia and all those working to bring him to Jewish burial as soon as possible.”
Survivors
Eber is survived by his children and extended family, including 16 siblings living in Belz communities across the United States, Canada, and Israel.
