Tragic End for Israeli Double Murderer in Argentina
The Death of Nicolás Gil Pereg
Nicolás Gil Pereg, an Israeli national convicted of the double femicide of his mother and aunt, died at the age of 43 in a neuropsychiatric hospital in Mendoza, Argentina. Pereg, who had been serving a life sentence at the El Sauce hospital, suffered a decompensation while alone in his cell on Sunday night. Despite immediate efforts by medical personnel to revive him through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), they were unable to save his life. His body has been transported to the Forensic Medical Corps for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The Infamous 'Cat Man'
Pereg, who was dubbed the 'Cat Man' for his bizarre behavior of meowing during his trial, had been isolated from other inmates and received continuous psychiatric care. His mental health was a focal point during the trial held between August and November 2021, where the court sought to determine whether he comprehended the criminality of his actions. Despite his erratic behavior, the jury found him guilty, dismissing the defense's claims of insanity.
The Heinous Crimes
The double murder occurred in January 2019 when Pereg's mother, Pirhya Saroussy, 63, and his aunt, Lily Pereg, 54, visited him in Mendoza. The women were last seen alive at Pereg's residence, a dilapidated house where he lived with 37 cats and four dogs. Following their disappearance, a blood sample on Pereg's t-shirt matched the victims' DNA, and the murder weapon was discovered. The bodies were found buried in his backyard, concealed with earth, stones, and cement. The prosecution argued that the murders were premeditated acts to cover up economic fraud and substantial loans from his relatives.
The case shocked Argentina and drew significant media attention, both during the investigation and after Pereg's imprisonment. His deteriorating physical and mental state continued to be a subject of public interest until his recent death.
