Nova Festival Survivor Roei Shalev Dies by Suicide After Losing Girlfriend, Mother, and Friend in Hamas Attacks
A young man who survived the horrific Hamas attacks on the Nova music festival in Israel has died by suicide, succumbing to the overwhelming grief and trauma following the loss of his girlfriend, mother, and close friend.
Roei Shalev, 29, was enjoying the Supernova music festival in the Negev desert with his girlfriend, Mapal Adam, and friend Hilly Solomon when the event was stormed by Hamas gunmen on October 7, 2023. What began as a celebration of life quickly descended into a desperate fight for survival.
Roei, Mapal, and Hilly attempted to escape in a car, but were forced to flee on foot after encountering a bloodied woman warning of approaching attackers. “Bullets whizzed past us, grenades exploded nearby, and terror engulfed us from all directions,” Roei later recounted, describing the harrowing experience of hiding under abandoned cars while gunfire rained down around them.
Mapal frantically messaged her sister, Maayan, an Israeli TV presenter, seeking reassurance as help seemed distant. Despite Roei’s desperate attempts to shield her, Mapal Adam, 26, was killed by gunfire while they were pinned under a vehicle. Hilly Solomon, also 26, was killed instantly. Roei endured agonizing hours playing dead, even surviving a second volley of gunfire, before being rescued by the Israeli army seven hours later. Mapal’s family found solace in knowing she “had died in his arms.”
The tragedy compounded just a week later when Roei’s mother, Raffaela, took her own life, unable to cope with the devastating losses. “In just one week, I lost three of the most important women to me in the world,” Roei stated, grappling with the unimaginable grief. He openly shared his trauma on social media, finding unexpected support and a renewed sense of purpose through connecting with others who had experienced similar pain.
In the wake of the attacks, Roei renamed the family bakery he ran with Mapal to “Mapal Cafe” as a tribute to his “one and only love.” He also organized events to commemorate Mapal and Hilly, vowing, “Amidst the pain and sorrow, I hold onto one truth: we will dance again.” However, the weight of his loss proved insurmountable.
On the second anniversary of Mapal’s death, Roei expressed the deepening pain in an Instagram post, stating, “The longing for you is only getting bigger, the pain does not pass with time.” He expressed regret that he couldn’t have kept them safe, saying, “I preferred to die in agony and for you to survive it.”
Just three days after the anniversary, on Friday night, Roei posted a final message on Instagram, revealing his despair: “I’ve never felt such deep and burning pain and suffering in my life. It’s eating me up inside.” A frantic search ensued, ending with the discovery of his body inside a burning car near Poleg Beach in Netanya, Israel.
Mapal’s sister shared her grief on Instagram, writing, “I have no words… I hope these two children are embraced and smiling now, hearts pressed together again.” Roei’s family confirmed his death and requested privacy. Israeli police have launched an investigation.
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Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. Alternatively, you can call Mind’s support line on 0300 102 1234, or NHS on 111.
