The friends who bought water and disappeared: New detail at the murder scene of Eldar Dayan

Following the 'Maariv' exposé regarding the interrogation of Omri Peretz, suspected of involvement in the murder of his friend, the late Eldar Dayan, it has emerged that the suspect is cooperating with investigators from the Central Unit (YAMAR) of the Sharon District Police. Peretz has provided his version of the events leading up to the deceased's disappearance and denies allegations that he was involved in the murder.

During his interrogation, he explained the circumstances behind his disappearance along with his friend Maxim Barberman from the Yarkonim area in Petah Tikva, and why they abandoned their vehicle at the gas station. The investigation suggests that if the police fail to directly link the two friends to the murder, they will investigate them for the offense of abandoning a wounded person. This is based on their claim that at the convenience store they reached, they bought water for Dayan, who had been beaten during a brawl with another group in the park area between Hod HaSharon and Kfar Saba.

According to information in the possession of the police that has not yet been released, it is suspected that the three friends arrived at that meeting place with members of another group to conduct a joint transaction, the details of which are under a publication ban.

At some point, a brawl broke out, which escalated into an attempted vehicular assault, intentional damage to the vehicle in which Dayan, Peretz, and Barberman arrived, and the subsequent flight of the three towards the Paz gas station in the Yarkon Junction area of Petah Tikva.

For nearly two weeks, the police and Dayan's family searched for him. Finally, a police dog handler located the remains of the deceased in a very poor state, lying in an open field about 50 meters from the convenience store where he was last seen.

Police have decided to upgrade the charges to include involvement in the murder. However, if the investigation reaches a dead end regarding the two suspects, and provided the autopsy report from the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute confirms it was a murder, investigators may return to those who were part of the group involved in the brawl, during which it is alleged that Dayan was severely beaten.

Police are investigating whether Dayan, who apparently arrived at the gas station complex already beaten and later fled, collapsed in the open field and died as a result of that violent brawl. In the coming days, the results of the autopsy report will be received, which should shed light on the case.

On Wednesday, suspects Peretz and Barberman will be brought once again to the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court for a hearing. As details become clearer, it will be determined whether the police will request an extension of their detention or, if the suspicion of their involvement in the murder dissipates, whether they will be released to house arrest under restrictive conditions.