Indictment Filed Against Beersheba Man for Aggravated Murder of Ex-Wife

An indictment for aggravated murder was filed on Sunday at the Beersheba District Court against 47-year-old Ayfram Malada, charging him with the murder of his 38-year-old ex-wife, Ananya Kalev. According to the indictment, Malada stabbed Kalev multiple times with a large kitchen knife while their five-year-old son was present in the apartment.

The couple had been married for approximately 25 years and had three children. Although they divorced a few months prior to the murder, Malada returned to live with Kalev and their young son just days before the incident. The prosecution stated that throughout their marriage, the defendant systematically subjected the victim to physical and psychological abuse, while threatening her on numerous occasions.

Investigators noted that on the night between October 10 and 11, Kalev returned home from work, prompting a dispute between the two. Around 1:40 AM, armed with a large kitchen knife and with their son nearby, Malada stabbed Kalev repeatedly across her upper body, chest, back, and neck. Following the attack, while the victim lay bleeding on the floor, the defendant washed the knife and contacted emergency services.

First responders arrived and transported Kalev to Soroka Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. According to the medical findings, her death resulted from respiratory failure and severe hemorrhagic shock. Malada was arrested on October 11 after reporting the incident to police.

Speaking to the press, the couple's 22-year-old eldest daughter, Banchi, revealed that police had previously visited the apartment due to domestic violence reports, but her mother had consistently declined to file formal complaints to protect the family. Following the tragedy, custody of the five-year-old son was granted to his eldest sister following intervention by the Michal Sela Forum.