DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Bar Asraf found deceased in apparent suicide at grave of girlfriend killed in October 7 massacre

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Bar Asraf, 30, died by suicide at the grave of his girlfriend, Liron Barda, who was murdered on October 7.
  • Asraf struggled to cope with Barda's death after she was killed at the Nova music festival.
  • His sister described him as a happy person who helped others, but who was deeply affected by his girlfriend's loss.

Bar Asraf, a 30-year-old resident of Sha’arei Tikva, died by suicide after shooting himself at the grave of his girlfriend, Liron Barda. Barda was murdered at the Nova music festival during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Friends and family reported that Asraf had been struggling to cope with Barda's death.

We were at my brother's wedding. He apparently started to feel lonely. You couldn't tell. He was always happy and laughing.

— LihiBar Asraf's sister, describing his state of mind before his death.

His sister, Lihi, told Walla that Asraf had appeared happy and laughing at a recent wedding, but confessed he felt lonely. "His best friend was murdered in Nova. He has a tattoo of her, she was a part of his soul," Lihi said. She recounted that Asraf left the wedding, seemingly to be alone, but when he did not return after several hours, the family began searching for him.

Lihi described finding her brother at Barda's grave. "I walked over, and suddenly I saw him lying next to Liron’s grave. I said to him, 'Bar, get up, what are you doing again...' and then I realized he was covered in blood,” she told Walla. She noted that a gun was beside him. Despite resuscitation efforts by Magen David Adom, Asraf died at the scene.

His best friend was murdered in Nova. He has a tattoo of her, she was a part of his soul.

— LihiBar Asraf's sister, explaining the depth of his connection to his girlfriend.

His mother, Bracha, described Bar as a "special boy" who was generous and loving. She recalled his relationship with Barda as being like "soulmates since childhood." Bracha mentioned that Bar organized food for those in need and provided his sister with support. Lihi emphasized the profound impact of the Nova massacre, stating, "People need to know what Nova did to people." She added that on October 7, Asraf had driven toward Re'im to try and save Barda but was turned back.

my sister had a feeling and told me, 'You go.' I walked over, and suddenly I saw him lying next to Liron’s grave. I said to him, 'Bar, get up, what are you doing again...' and then I realized he was covered in blood.

— LihiBar Asraf's sister, recounting the moment she found him.

Barda had worked as the bar manager at the Nova music festival. Despite pleas from friends and family to flee, she administered first aid to the wounded during the massacre until she was killed. The article includes a content warning for mentions of suicide and mental health.

He died in the place he wanted to be most, with the woman he wanted to be with most.

— LihiBar Asraf's sister, reflecting on his final moments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog