A dramatic new development has emerged in the mysterious disappearance of Israeli mother and daughter Mali and Liel Yahalomi in Vienna, with investigators now examining evidence suggesting the pair may not have been abducted — but instead may have deliberately disappeared after making preparations in advance.

According to a report by Ynet journalist Liran Tamari, Israeli and Austrian investigators have uncovered indications that location data and other digital history were deliberately erased from the women’s cellphones in the days leading up to their disappearance.

Investigators are also examining information indicating that the mother and daughter may have obtained a substantial amount of cash while still in Israel before traveling abroad.

Taken together, the findings have strengthened the possibility being investigated by authorities that their disappearance was planned in advance and carried out voluntarily, rather than the result of an abduction or other criminal act.

Vienna Police have similarly said that, at this stage, investigators have found no indication that a crime was committed. Austrian authorities reportedly have not uncovered evidence pointing to either an abduction or a terror-related incident.

Despite the new direction in the investigation, an extensive search remains underway.

Authorities have conducted checks with hospitals throughout the Vienna area and are working closely with Israeli diplomatic and consular officials. Intelligence gathered during the investigation reportedly indicates that the two women, who are Shomer Shabbos, were last seen on Shabbos in the vicinity of a Vienna train station and a nearby public park.

Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy convened a special situation assessment focused on the search, attended by senior officials from the Investigations and Intelligence Division, intelligence officials, Israeli police representatives operating overseas and members of the command center established in connection with the disappearance.

Levy instructed police to devote all necessary resources to locating the two women and determining exactly what happened.

Additional Israeli law enforcement personnel are reportedly traveling to Vienna to reinforce investigators already working on the case.

The mother and daughter last spoke with relatives on Friday before Shabbos and indicated that everything was fine. They subsequently vanished, and the Vienna apartment where they had been staying was later found empty.

The pair also failed to appear for their scheduled flight back to Israel.

Authorities are continuing to investigate both the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and the possibility that the two intentionally sought to conceal their movements.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)