Lidar Suisa, tragically murdered at the entrance of her apartment building in Lod last year, has prompted her family to file a lawsuit seeking over 13 million shekels from multiple parties they allege could have prevented the incident, according to Mako news reports. Among the defendants are the police, the Ministry of Health, and the sister of the accused murderer.
The 30 year old was the first female victim of 2023 in the midst of a growing domestic violence crisis.
In the lawsuit filed by attorney Dimitri Shahin, it is claimed that "Leader was killed by her mentally unstable neighbour due to serious oversights by the authorities, including the Israel Police, district psychiatrists, and the Ministry of Health." The family asserts they had contacted these authorities multiple times, warning them about the neighbour's behaviour to no avail.
The lawsuit further alleges that negligence in supervising the mentally ill neighbour directly led to the tragic event. "Despite repeated pleas, the authorities failed to take necessary actions to protect Leader's life or address her concerns," the lawsuit states.
In March of the preceding year, Yaakov Chaimovich, a 42-year-old Lod resident, was indicted for aggravated murder in the case. The indictment details how Chaimovich attacked Leader with a knife in the building's elevator area, forcibly moved her toward the stairs, and continued the assault until he believed she was dead. According to lawyer Keren Inbar Fishbein, Chaimovich cited reasons for the murder, including disturbances caused by Leader and her recent police involvement.
The lawsuit specifically targets Chaimovich's sister, alleging she was aware of her brother's severe mental illness and the danger he posed to the public but failed to ensure he received necessary mental health treatment and medication. The family argues that after their mother's passing, it was her responsibility to notify the Ministry of Health about his condition and ensure he was properly hospitalized and treated.
Regarding the Israel Police, the lawsuit claims officers present at the scene before the murder did not respond appropriately despite knowing the neighbour's mental state, and disregarded Lidar's complaints about his threatening behaviour. Additionally, the family accuses mental health officials of mishandling Chaimovich's diagnosis and failing to monitor his medication regimen adequately since his initial diagnosis with schizophrenia in January 2018.
The impact of Lidar's death has been profound on her family, causing ongoing depression, severe anxiety, and deep emotional distress. In an emotional interview last year, Leader's mother Sabine Valli recounted the heart breaking moment she discovered her daughter's lifeless body, expressing disbelief and devastation over the sudden loss.
Lidar Suisa, aged 33 at the time of her death, was married to Amir and cherished for her close relationships with her family, including her parents and siblings Coral and May. Her untimely death has left her loved ones shattered and seeking justice through legal recourse against those they hold responsible for failing to prevent the tragedy.
