A Kiryat Gat man who allegedly stabbed his 14-year-old son to death had his remand extended by eight days on Thursday.
The police had asked for a 12-day remand and that the suspect be sent for a psychological evaluation.
Shortly after the incident on Wednesday night, the father fled the scene into nearby woods but he was caught by officers who searched for him, a Lachish region police spokesperson said.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. The father’s other children were in the house at the time and reportedly, there had been no previous complaints against him.
The victim was rushed to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, but later died of his wounds.
Authorities collected blood samples from the father to discover if he was under the influence of alcohol or narcotics at the time of the attack.
Dr. Tzvi Fishel, of the Israeli Medical Association, emphasized that suspicion of a psychotic attack should not be automatic.
“Most of those who murder their loved ones do so out of anger, jealousy, vulnerability and more: that’s not a psychiatric illness,” he said. “It’s best to let the police investigate the suspect.”
A neighbor of the family told KAN news: “I knew the father – he is a very gentle man, praying in synagogue with people in the neighborhood... There was never any incident with him. They say he had a nervous breakdown and suddenly went crazy.”
Other neighbors also expressed their shock at the tragedy.