The body of a Jewish man, about 45 years old was discovered during Rosh Hashanah in a forest near the kever of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. Emergency personnel who arrived at the scene were forced to pronounce him dead, and the local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

The niftar was identified as a resident of the UK and father of seven who had recently been staying in Uman. His lifeless body was found in a wooded area not far from the kever, where tens of thousands of mispallelim from Israel and around the world had gathered on Rosh Hashanah.

Ukrainian police opened an investigation and are examining every possibility. According to individuals who viewed documentation from the scene, suspicions arose that the man had been murdered. No official confirmation has been issued at this stage, however, and the investigation is still underway.

According to preliminary information, chassidim who had gone into the forest to practice hisbodedus spotted the man lying there and summoned emergency personnel and police. Tragically, responders could do nothing but pronounce him dead.

Aharon Ben Harush, director of the United Hatzalah delegation and deputy head of its Uman branch, said after Yom Tov: “During Yom Tov, we responded to a case involving a Jewish man from England who was found lifeless in a forest. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation.”

“United Hatzalah activists in Uman are working with the authorities to have his body released for burial at the earliest possible opportunity.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Motzei Yom Tov in Israel)