Dad confesses to killing children

Itay Ben Dror, suspected of stabbing his three children to death, confesses to murders, says his ex-wife threatened to prevent him from seeing kids

Raanan Ben-Zur |Published: 07.25.10 , 00:32

"Lilach kept threatening to make sure I would never see the kids again," Itay Ben Dror told police Saturday evening, hours after his three children, Omer (10), Roni (8), and Or, (5) were found stabbed to death in his apartment.

Ben Dror, who underwent an initial interrogation at a Netanya hospital where he was taken in light condition after attempting suicide, confessed to the murders and unraveled the incidents and motives that led him to commit the horrific act.

A dispute between Ben Dror and his wife broke when he began an affair with another woman. When his wife, Lilach, learned of the affair, she demanded a divorce. As part of recent reconciliation attempts by the Kfar Yona welfare services, visitation arrangements were set allowing the children to spend the night their father's.

A police source told Ynet that after Itay separated from his lover, who also filed complaints against him and had a restraining order issued, he began attempting to get back together with Lilach.

Itay told police that Lilach had recently threatened to do everything in her power to prevent him from seeing their children. He said this was the motive behind the killing.

Police added that when Itay went to collect the children from Lilach's home, his ex-wife told him about her plans to celebrate her birthday with her friends, and this may have induced the inconceivable outbreak of violence.

Ben Dror will face a court Sunday morning, and police will request to extend his remand. The suspect will spend the night in hospital, with heavy police security.