A New Jersey college student missing in Israel has been found dead. Aaron Sofer was last seen on August 22. He had gone for a hike with his friends when he vanished in the near a wooded area in Jerusalem. His family had feared that he was kidnapped. Aaron Sofer was 23 years old.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Was Found Lying Dead Just off a Street
Police forensics at the scene examining body found in the Jerusalem forest this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/b6aK45uSBU
— Micky Rosenfeld (@MickyRosenfeld) August 28, 2014
Police forensics at the scene examining body found in the Jerusalem forest this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/b6aK45uSBU
— Micky Rosenfeld (@MickyRosenfeld) August 28, 2014
Sofer’s body was found outside of the wooded area, in a neighborhood called Ein Karem. He was lying off of a street. The cause of death is believed to be due to a fall.
2. He & His Family are ‘Ultra-Orthodox’
Sofer is an ultra-Orthodox student who had been studying in Israel, reports ABC New York.
3. There Had Been a Massive Search Effort for Sofer
A massive search effort was undertaken to find Sofer involving Israeli police helicopters, personnel and sniffer dogs. A Facebook page was set up to help the search effort. A Go Fund Me page set up to help the search effort had raised over $50,000 at the time of his death.
4. His Cousin Is a Famous Actress
(Getty)
He was the cousin of actress Rena Sofer. She tweeted 13 hours before his body was found that had been abducted:
Aaron sofer was abducted in the woods in Israel. Please Israel keep looking for him. Bring my cousin home!!
— Rena Sofer (@RenaSofer) August 28, 2014
Later she said that her cousin had a “tragic fall.”
Thank you all for your prayers. Aaron's body was found today. No foul play thank G-D. He had a tragic fall in the mountains. G-D bless him❤️
— Rena Sofer (@RenaSofer) August 28, 2014
Sofer has appeared in TV shows such as Friends, 24, and has a starring role on The Bold and the Beautiful. After the news of Shofer’s death emerged, she tweeted:
Thank you all for your amazing tweets of support. As my family are very religious Jews they are not on twitter but your ❤️helps me so much.
— Rena Sofer (@RenaSofer) August 28, 2014
5. His Parents are in Israel
Aaron Sofer’s parents were in Israel when their son’s body had been found. Earlier in the week they had made an emotional video appeal for information on his disappearance.
