Vienna police: Missing Israeli mother and daughter left country voluntarily

Vienna police announced Friday that an Israeli mother and daughter who disappeared in the Austrian capital a week ago left the country of their own accord, with "no indication of a violent crime." The announcement followed "excellent cooperation" between Austrian law enforcement and Israeli authorities.

Mali Yahalomi, 50, and her daughter Liel, 23, had been missing since August 7. Israeli police officials expressed cautious optimism about the investigation, with sources suggesting a "positive indication" regarding the pair's whereabouts. Reports indicate that authorities believe the two are still alive and are no longer in Austria.

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it has been determined that the two Israeli citizens -- mother and daughter -- who had been missing since August 7, 2026, left the Republic of Austria on their own. According to current findings, there is no indication of a violent crime.

Security camera footage obtained by Austrian police reportedly shows the mother and daughter leaving their accommodation on August 8 with their belongings, apparently without coercion. The family, while thanking the public for support, has urged investigators to continue exploring all possibilities, including terrorism, until definitively ruled out by evidence.

Mali and Liel Yahalomi arrived in Vienna from Prague by train. Their relatives became concerned when text messages went unanswered starting Sunday morning, as the family avoids electronic devices on Shabbat. They also missed a planned Shabbat dinner and did not pick up pre-ordered food from a kosher restaurant.

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We want to thank all the people of Israel for the embrace and the support in this difficult time. We demand of all security and investigative officials to continue to check all scenarios, including the possibility of terrorism, until they are ruled out on the basis of evidence.