Israel Police find human remains during search for missing person Eldar Dayan

During the search for missing Petah Tikva resident Eldar Dayan, police located a body near the Yarkon Interchange. Identification efforts are underway at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Israel Police identified human remains near the Yarkon Interchange in Petah Tikva early Thursday morning during the ongoing search for missing person Eldar Dayan, according to a police statement.

Israeli media reported that the body was found in a nearby field, some 200 meters from a gas station where police located an abandoned vehicle, which belongs to the mother of one of the suspects in the case.

The remains were reportedly discovered by investigators in an advanced state of decomposition and have been transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in order to complete the identification process and clarify the circumstances of death.

Though there is some public suspicion that the body could belong to Dayan, police have made clear they are unable to confirm the identity of the deceased as of this time.

Dayan's mother arrived at the scene later on Thursday, pleading to police to "take her to the child."

Dayan, 23, was initially reported to have last been seen near Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv on July 17. Before contact with him was lost, he sent a WhatsApp message saying there was “trouble” and that he intended to return home. His telephone has since been unavailable, according to his family.

Two friends of the missing Dimona resident remain in custody as police investigate his disappearance.

This is a developing story.