Police searching for leads on two missing people in J'lem

Rachel Lebetkin, 28, has not been seen since October 17, while David Herzog, 27, has been missing since October 21.

By MELANIE LIDMAN
Police are searching for clues in the cases of two people who went missing in Jerusalem last week.
Rachel Lebetkin, 28, has not been seen since October 17, while David Herzog, 27, has been missing since October 21.
Police do not believe there is any connection between the two disappearances.
Lebetkin was last seen leaving her apartment in the Kiryat Yovel neighborhood on her way to an exam at Bar-Ilan University, but she never arrived at the school. Her sister, who shares the apartment, notified family and police the same day.
Police and family members do not suspect foul play.
“We are thinking maybe she wanted to disappear for little, a period of time,” said her sister, Malka. Lebetkin did not take her passport, leading family and friends to believe she is still in the country.
Though police are searching for her, the family has also hired a private investigator, and dozens of friends and people who study with Lebetkin have offered to help locate her.
“We really know nothing – where she fled to, why she fled.
We have the facts and we’re trying to see what happened,” said Jerusalem District Police spokesman Shmuel Ben Ruby.
“We don’t have a single thread that could indicate what happened.”
“It’s difficult, trying to gather all our strength to find her and to be optimistic and stay sane at the same time,” said Malka Lebetkin. The two sisters are just 14 months apart, and grew up in Jerusalem, after their parents made aliya from the United States.
The family had one message for Lebetkin: “Rachel, if you’re reading this, know we love you and we’re not upset in any way and we want you to come back.”
Police have even less information about Herzog, who was reported missing from a hostel in Ramot. He was traveling alone. The hostel called the police after Herzog failed to return to his room. The police are in touch with Herzog’s family.
Members of the public with any information are urged to call (02) 584-8200 or 100.