October 7 Survivor Dies by Self-Immolation After Posting Heartbreaking Message
An Israeli man who survived the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack has died by suicide after setting himself on fire, nearly two years after the tragedy that claimed the lives of his girlfriend, close friend, and mother.
The 29-year-old, identified as Roei Shalev, reportedly posted a note on his Instagram account on Friday night, expressing that he “can’t go on anymore,” before his body was later found inside a burning car near Poleg Beach in Netanya, Israel.
Roei had survived the Hamas assault at the Supernova music festival near Re’im, where he and his girlfriend, Mapal Adam, were celebrating with a friend, Hilly Solomon, when gunmen opened fire on festivalgoers.
Despite being shot twice in the back, Roei survived the attack while Mapal and Hilly were killed. His girlfriend’s family later said it comforted them to know she “died in his arms.”
Just a week later, Roei’s mother, Raffaela, also took her own life, unable to cope with the immense grief. “In one week, I lost three of the most important women in my life,” Roei said in a past interview.
In the years following the tragedy, Roei struggled with trauma and grief. He renamed the family bakery he once ran with Mapal to “Mapal Café” in her memory and often shared emotional tributes to her and Hilly online.
On the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks, he wrote: “Two years have passed since the most terrible day of my life… The longing for you is only getting bigger. The pain does not pass with time.”
His final message before his death read: “I’ve never felt such deep and burning pain and suffering in my life. It’s eating me up inside.”
Family and friends launched a search after seeing the post, but hours later, authorities discovered his remains in the burnt vehicle.
Mapal’s sister paid tribute in an Instagram post, writing: “I hope these two children are embraced and smiling now, hearts pressed together again.”
Police have confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway.
