Shirel Golan: Traumatised survivor of Nova music festival takes her life on 22nd birthday
DISTRESSING CONTENT WARNING
A survivor of the October 7 massacre killed herself on her 22nd birthday after a battle with post-traumatic stress, her family said on Monday.
Shirel Golan was found in the garden of her home in Porat, north of Tel Aviv – her phone filled with dozens of unanswered birthday wishes.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Her distraught brother, Eyal Golan, hit out at the state of Israel for abandoning Ms Golan and not providing her with the mental health care she needed.
Mr Golan said in a Facebook post: “The state of Israel murdered my sister twice.”
“On October 7, 2023, she was murdered mentally. And on October 20, 2024, she was physically murdered. I am furious and angry at the different systems of the country Israel.
“Stop abusing us!”
On October 7, Ms Golan attended the Nova music festival near the Gaza border with her partner Adi.
As Hamas terrorists stormed the event, the pair ran to their car and tried to drive away.
But they decided to abandon the vehicle and run for cover, hiding from gunmen for almost three hours.
The couple were offered a ride by other terrified party-goers but refused after Ms Golan had a “gut feeling” it wasn’t safe.
That car was ambushed by terrorists, and the 11 people inside were murdered or taken hostage.
Eventually, a police officer called Remo – who was driving back and forth from the festival site to rescue people – stumbled across Ms Golan and her partner.
He drove them to relative safety before telling them to “run” the rest of the way so he could go back and save others.
The Hamas attack from Gaza that day claimed 1,200 Israeli lives.
Ms Golan had since been treated twice in a psychiatric facility.
“I saw that she had symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as withdrawing and distancing herself from her friends,” her brother said.
“My mother had to retire early to be near her daughter.
“We didn’t move a millimetre from her, and the only time we left her alone was today.”
Many Nova survivors and their families have been suffering from severe mental health problems since the massacre.
Ms Golan is thought to be the first Nova survivor to commit suicide.
The Tribe of Nova – an organisation that provides trauma support for survivors – said it “mourns the passing of Shirel Golan, a beloved member of our community, who left us on her 22nd birthday. We embrace her dear family during this difficult and unimaginable time’”
