The body of missing Israeli Eli Cohen was found dismembered and buried in concrete in an apartment in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday. Thai police arrested two Israelis, a father and son, on suspicion of murdering Cohen, a 62-year-old retired police officer who lived in Bangkok. The arrested father, Shimon Biton, is a known criminal with a history of drug smuggling who has previously been convicted of trying to dispose of the body of another Israeli murdered in Thailand. It was found that his son, Raphael Biton, spoke to Cohen by telephone prior to his disappearance. It also later emerged that both Bitons were using Cohen's car and credit card. The duo's hideout was located after a 48-hour search. Once police began to search their apartment, Cohen's body was found dismembered and hidden in a hole covered in cement. The father and son initially denied any connection to the crime, but after Cohen's body was found they confessed to having murdered him. Shimon Biton told investigators the motive for the crime was romantic: His girlfriend was having an affair with Cohen. The Foreign Embassy released a statement saying the Department for Israelis Abroad and the consulate in Bangkok were handling the matter and helping the victim's family in dealing with the local authorities. Cohen's daughter, Meital Buteh-Cohen, 37, from Beit Shean, said she had been trying unsuccessfully to contact her father since last Wednesday. "I felt something wasn't right, and this morning they told me his body was found. We are in contact with the Foreign Ministry's situation room and the Israeli Consulate in Thailand, but we still don't know what happens next," she said. On Saturday evening, after learning of her father's murder, Buteh-Cohen posted a heartfelt message to her Facebook page. "My dear father, you will be remembered in my heart for eternity," she wrote. "From the moment I heard the bitter news that you were murdered, your body dismembered, my heart cried out to the heavens. How is it possible for Israelis to do such a horrific thing? I will never forget you, my dear Papa
and to you, Shimon Biton from Thailand, accused of murdering my father, may God never forgive you and pray that you never see the light of day again."
