Notorious Netanya crime boss Charlie Abutbul, 57, was found at his home Thursday night suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Abutbul was rushed to the city's Laniado Hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Police sources said that Abutbul's wound appeared to have been self-inflicted, but stressed that while the case was being treated as a suicide, other causes of death have yet to be ruled out and therefore all possible leads were being pursued at this time. The police said a gun was found next to Abutbul, leading to the assumption of suicide. Nevertheless, the possibility that this was a hit executed as part of underworld rivalries has not been ruled out completely. The Abutbuls are considered one of Israel's three most notorious crime families, alongside the Abergils and Alperons. While Abutbul was believed to have relinquished any direct involvement in organized crime, his death is said to have sent shock waves through the Israeli underworld. A source close to the family told Army Radio that Abutbul was struggling financially after he had made a large investment that failed. He added that Abutbul was "a man of honor" and that he most likely could not face his family's financial ruin. "Suicide is very out of character for him. There was no warning and we didn't see this coming. ... He was nothing like the media painted him out to be. He dealt with the realities of his life the best way he could, and we all know that if he could, he would have chosen another life for himself." Abutbul's attorney Moshe Sherman told Army Radio that his client suffered from depression in recent years, since two of his sons, Assi and Francois, were sentences to lengthy prison terms, but stressed that there were no warning signs indicating Abutbul might try to harm himself.
Credit: Asaf Berzinger
According to available details, Abutbul spent the evening with family members at his home, but at some point he went into another room, where it is believed he shot himself. He was discovered by family members who immediately called the paramedics and the police.
Netanya crime boss Charlie Abutbul dead
Head of notorious crime family believed to have committed suicide but police say all leads pursued • Abutbul is said to have been suffering from depression but family says "there were no warning signs" • Death sends shock waves through Israeli underworld.
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