Israeli Survivor of October 7 nova Festival Attack Found Dead
Roei Shalev, a survivor of the October 7 attack on the Nova music festival in Israel, was found dead Saturday, according too reports from Israeli media and the Nova Tribe Community Foundation. His death comes after a period of profound grief following the loss of his girlfriend, Adam Maayan, during the initial attack.
Shalev lay next to Maayan for approximately two hours until the army arrived to rescue him, as recounted by a friend to Ynet last year. Maayan was fatally wounded by a bullet that pierced her ribs and heart. “I say her heart was so big that it was unachievable to miss it,” the friend said.
The trauma of the attack and Maayan’s death led to the suicide of Shalev’s mother two weeks after the atrocities, according to Israeli media.
In a social media post Saturday, maayan Adam, Shalev’s sister, shared a picture of the pair, writing: “Roei was murdered on 7 October and died yesterday. I have no words and it will take time to find them. Hope these two kids are hugging and smiling right now, hearts pressed together again.”
The Nova Tribe Community Foundation described Shalev as “a backbone of the community,” highlighting his bravery, kindness, and dedication. He served as captain of the Nova Tribe basketball team and consistently supported his friends and fellow members of the community during difficult times.
Several Israeli politicians expressed dismay at the news, calling for increased mental health support for survivors of the October 7 attacks. Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, stated: “Roei could not withstand the pain, but others are still here fighting, coping, trying to live. We must give them all the help we can – so they don’t feel alone.”
if you are struggling with difficult emotions, the Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. in the US, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
