Yana was murdered, her parents ask: Let us stay in Israel and raise the son who was left alone

Yana Zikova was murdered in her Haifa apartment about a week and a half ago. Her ex-partner was arrested. Her six-year-old son, who has special needs, witnessed the murder. Her parents, who arrived from Ukraine for her funeral, are working to gain custody of their grandson and remain in Israel.

Yana Zikova, 43, was murdered about a week and a half ago in her apartment in the Kiryat Haim neighborhood of Haifa. Her ex-partner, Pavel Falkush, from whom she divorced a few months ago, was arrested on suspicion of murder. Their joint son, six years old and with special needs, witnessed the event and has since been under the care of Haifa Municipality welfare services. Zikova's parents, Vladimir and Nadia, arrived from Ukraine for their daughter's funeral and are now, with legal assistance, exploring ways to stay in Israel and gain custody of their grandson. A relative described the warm bond between the grandmother and the grandson, who was previously cared for by her when Zikova was injured. At the funeral, Nadia said through tears: "He stabbed her maybe more than 20 times all over her body. What chance does a woman have at all."