The 28-year-old survivor misplaced his associate and mom after the October 7 bloodbath — his dying highlights the enduring trauma confronted by many Nova survivors.
Nova musical competition survivor Roei Shalev took his personal life on Friday after sharing a social media publish saying goodbye.
Shalev attended the Nova Music competition on October 7, 2023, when terrorists infiltrated the Gaza border communities and killed hundreds. He was shot within the again and survived. His associate, Mapal Adam, was murdered by the terrorists, in addition to his shut buddy, Hili Solomon.
Every week after the bloodbath, Raffaela, Shalev’s mom, additionally took her personal life.
He was present in a burning automotive on a freeway exit close to Netanya, with Israel Police noting an investigation has been opened into the circumstances of the incident, although Shalev posted a goodbye message on his Instagram web page. The message, through which he describes the ache and loss he has felt because the October 7 bloodbath, echoes sentiments pals of the deceased have shared about Shalev not absolutely recovering from the lack of his associate, Adam.
‘I am already lifeless’
“I’m actually sorry. I can’t bear this ache any longer. I’m burning inside, and I can’t comprise it anymore. By no means in my life have I felt such ache and struggling – deep, burning, consuming me from inside,” learn Shalev’s message, which was posted on his private Instagram account.
Roei Shalev, survivor of the October 7 bloodbath, poses in a Nova Music Competition t-shirt (credit score: Courtesy of Mediacentral)
“I really can’t go on. Dad, Lior, and Ido – I really like you greater than something on the planet. I’m so sorry. My pals in Israel and world wide – I really like you. Keshet, I really like you. Please don’t be offended with me. Nobody will ever perceive me, as a result of you possibly can’t. I simply need this struggling to finish. I’m alive – however inside, I’m already lifeless.”
“Please bear in mind the nice in me. Anybody who knew me is aware of that every one I ever needed was good. I’m sorry.”
The Nova Tribe Neighborhood Affiliation, sharing within the grief of Shalev’s dying, mentioned that, “Sadly, most of the PTSD victims of October 7 are nonetheless experiencing horrible and complicated moments since that day. We ask everybody to be always vigilant and maximally delicate to the psychological state of the victims of October 7 usually, and to the survivors and the bereaved households particularly.”
His publish raised fast flags, with the Nova Tribe and pals launching a search after he failed to answer calls. CCTV revealed him at a gasoline station filling a canister with gas. His car was quickly discovered burning together with his physique within the car, the place he was declared lifeless instantly.
The Shalev household pronounces his dying in an announcement, asking “to chorus from contact.” The assertion additional says particulars of the funeral “can be supplied individually.”
Nova Tribe referred to as Shalev one of many pillars of their group, calling his dying an “incomprehensible loss.”“We ask to recollect him in his most stunning moments — his brave help of the group, his management as captain of the Nova Tribe basketball group, and his devotion to serving to pals of their most tough occasions.”
After studying of Shalev’s dying, YouTuber and basketball coach Barak Swarttz posted a response highlighting an interview he’d performed on a Los Angeles basketball courtroom final yr. Shalev shared his traumatic survival story, and the story of the lack of his family members throughout the Nova bloodbath, through which he performed lifeless as terrorists walked round him. He described being shot twice, but surviving.
In his interview, he detailed how he and Mapal Adam had mentioned their future collectively forward of their premature deaths; weddings, the names of their youngsters, and the like. “They ship me indicators,” he instructed Swarttz.
“After the largest nightmare of my life, I’m right here at this time. On a basketball courtroom with a smile on my face,” he mentioned, detailing that the ache nonetheless stays — flashbacks continued and tears flowed.
After the affirmation of Shalev’s dying, the YouTuber added a pinned remark that learn, “Expensive YouTube group – Roei took his life 2 days in the past, October tenth. He couldn’t take the ache anymore. Please ship your needs to his household and family members. Gutted,” with emojis of angel wings, a candle, and a damaged coronary heart.
Different survivors have taken their very own lives, together with Nova survivor Shiriel Golan, who died by suicide a yr after the assault, reportedly on her twenty second birthday. Although particular numbers stay unconfirmed, in April 2024, Israeli media reported that Nova survivor Man Ben Shimon testified in Knesset that “virtually 50 suicides among the many Nova survivors” had occurred. Israel’s Well being Ministry has denied the declare that fifty survivors have dedicated suicide, stating that they didn’t have data or proof to help the quantity.
The Well being Ministry mentioned that the supplied determine was incorrect and that the variety of associated suicides was lower than 10 as of April 2024. Up to date numbers, resulting from household privateness amongst different components, aren’t out there to the general public.
Israeli NGO ELEM: Youth in Misery, which works with at-risk youth and younger adults in Israel, honored Shalev with their “LifeSaver Award” for his advocacy and continued struggle for dealing with post-trauma after October 7.
“I’m decided to assist rebuild our group, to supply hope and help to these whose lives have been shattered by comparable tragedies. And so, I humbly ask on your help,” he mentioned, accepting his award in a ceremony final yr. “Collectively, we will make a distinction. Whether or not by means of donations or spreading consciousness, each act of kindness issues. And amidst the ache and sorrow, I maintain onto one fact: we are going to dance once more. We’ll reclaim the enjoyment that was stolen from us and construct a brighter future for all.”
