Eva Geller, a 90-year-old great-grandmother and Holocaust survivor who was shot during the terror attack at Bondi beach in Sydney last December, has died. Her death came 11 months after the attack, and police and doctors have launched an investigation to determine what killed her.
Ms Geller was shot during the attack on December 14. She survived the initial assault but had been in and out of hospital for treatment stemming from shrapnel wounds, according to News24 reports. She passed away on Thursday evening, November 5, her Rabbi said on Friday.
A Survivor's Final Months
Rabbi Aron Moss, from Nefesh Synagogue, spoke about her condition following the attack. He said: "Ever since being shot at the Bondi attack she'd been in and out of hospital, always wanting to come home."
He added: "She was told she will never walk again but miraculously, and with incredible determination, she did walk again. She passed away late last night."
The Attack and Its Aftermath
Ms Geller, who moved to Australia after surviving Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War, was at the scene of the reported antisemitic terror attack. Father and son gunmen Naveed Akram and Sajid Akram allegedly opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Archer Park near the iconic beach.
The attack killed 15 people at the scene. While Sajid was shot dead by police, legal proceedings are ongoing against Naveed. Police are now determining whether Ms Geller should be considered the 16th victim of the massacre.
Investigation Underway
New South Wales Police said in a statement: "NSW Police are aware that a 90-year-old woman – who was injured in the Bondi terror attack – has died overnight at a hospital in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs."
The statement continued: "NSW Police are now awaiting further advice and are working with the office of the coroner."
