2 Israeli businessmen murdered in their LA homes over one night
The Los Angeles Police Department said that there appears to be no connection between the two killings at this time.
Two Israeli businessmen were found murdered in their San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles homes on Saturday, police said. Both of the victims’ deceased bodies were discovered just hours apart. Three suspects have been taken into custody for at least one of the killings. The Los Angeles Police Department said that there appears to be no connection between the two killings at this time.
The two victims have been identified as Alexander Modebadze, 47, and Meni Hidhra, who is reportedly the brother of the warden of Israel’s Nitzan Prison, according to Israeli National News.
On April 26, LAPD officers responded to a home located at the 22200 block of De La Osta Street in the Woodland Hills neighborhood around 1 am. Officers discovered the deceased body of Alexander Modebadze. The victim was savagely beaten and suffered severe head trauma. Authorities said that the three suspects broke into his home, tied him up, and held him hostage for hours before beating him to death, according to a press release.
A joint operation conducted by the LAPD and agents with the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force resulted in the apprehension of three Georgian nationals who have been identified as Paata Kochyashvili, 38; Zaza Otarashvili, 46; and Besiki Khutishvili, 52. LAPD said that the suspects also allegedly stole property from Modebadze’s home.
Later that day, police were called at 2:30 pm to conduct a welfare check at an apartment on the 12600 block of Riverside Drive in Valley Village. Relatives told police they were unable to reach the resident. Upon entry, officers discovered the deceased body of businessman Meni Hidhra. Authorities have not indicated Hidhra’s cause of death, but did release the suspect’s identity description, who remains at large.
Despite the cases being allegedly unrelated, Jewish community members told Los Angeles Magazine that they have been living on edge. “It’s terrifying. These do seem like targeted attacks,” said Jennifer Feldman of Valley Village. “Two men with ties to Israel killed on the same day feels frightening to say the least.”
