Olga and Ruslan Prikhodko, residents of Rishon Lezion, were found dead after relatives reported they had vanished during a trip.
Olga and Ruslan Prikhodko, a couple from Rishon Lezion in their 40s, were identified as the two people found dead Friday in a vehicle near Moshav Mishmar Ayalon in central Israel.
The couple had reportedly gone out for a trip earlier in the day. After relatives were unable to reach them despite repeated phone calls, they contacted police, telling investigators the silence was highly unusual.
Police launched searches and used cellphone location data to track the couple. By Friday evening, they were found dead in an open area between Carmey Yosef and Mishmar Ayalon, in the Gezer Regional Council.
Forensic findings widen the probe
Initial findings at the scene pointed to gunfire, and investigators first examined the possibility that Ruslan, who reportedly held a licensed firearm, shot Olga before taking his own life.
However, forensic findings at the scene led police to widen the probe rather than focus solely on the murder-suicide theory.
Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Danny Levy and Central District commander Dep.-Ch. Amir Cohen arrived at the scene and held a special situational assessment with investigators. Following the assessment, the case was transferred to the Central District’s central investigative unit, which continues to examine all possible avenues.
The Shin Bet was initially involved in examining the circumstances of the couple’s deaths, but the investigation was later handed over to police.
At the request of police, the Ramle Magistrate’s Court issued a sweeping gag order on details of the investigation, including any information that could obstruct the probe.
