In 1996, Seth and Sherri Mandell, of Silver Spring, Maryland, moved to Israel with their four children. Yaakov (Jacob), nicknamed ‘Koby,’ was their oldest. They settled in the town of Tekoa, on the West Bank.
On May 8, 2001, Koby and his best friend, Yosef Ishran, skipped school, to explore the caves near the town.
When they did not return home, their parents assumed that they had taken the bus, after school, to nearby Jerusalem, to participate in a political demonstration. But when the boys did not return by midnight, the authorities were contacted.
Their bodies were discovered the next morning in one of the caves. They had been bludgeoned to death with large rocks. I will spare you the details of the gruesome murders, but suffice it to say that the parents were unable to identify the bodies, which were identified through dental records.
In 2004, Brian Williams, who was in Israel, contacted the Mandells.
The story continues here:
Via Honest Reporting: Can You Shoot Your Gun For Us?
Related:
Koby’s parents have set up the Koby Mandell Foundation, “helping bereaved mothers, fathers, widows, orphans and siblings re-build their lives, and create meaning out of suffering.”
They have also established “Comedy for Koby,” in memory of their son, who loved comedy.
Wow, too bad Mr. Mandell didn’t fire his gun for that sleaze, Brian Williams. What great optics that would have made for his hit piece, at the expense of the Mandells. To be totally blindsided and used by NBC News was soulless.
On a brighter note, hopefully “The Comedy For Koby” series provide source of healing for families affected by the evil of terrorism.