An Israeli family’s worst fears appeared to come true Friday as a body believed to be that of missing backpacker Liat Tess-Okin was found by investigators in the New Zealand wilderness.
Tess-Okin, 35, had been missing for about a month. In April, two Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis from the city of Canterbury flew to Queenstown to help coordinate the search and serve as a bridge between New Zealand authorities and Tess-Okin’s family. According to local media reports, search teams found footprints in the area of the Fiordland canyon late this week. They later found a backpack and other gear belonging to the woman. A body was recovered nearby on Friday.
Reached just before the onset of Shabbat in the region, Rabbi Mendel Goldstein, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of New Zealand, said that he was again in Queenstown to assist with identification of the body, as well as to ensure its proper handling in accordance with Jewish law.
“Understandably, this is an incredibly emotional time for all of us,” said Goldstein. “So many people here have been waiting for good news.
“In times like this,” he added, “it helps to comfort Liat’s loved ones by reciting chapters of Psalms.”
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