ISRAEL: Police investigating death of U.S. tourist in mysterious attack

[oberliner]

Israeli authorities are investigating a strange and violent incident that left one woman dead and another injured this weekend. Many people are convinced this was a terrorist attack; other people say things don't add up. Police are investigating all options.

Normally, the Beit Shemesh countryside is a good choice for weekend picnics and hiking, offering visitors its woods, nature trails and other attractions. But this Saturday, something was wrong in the scenic landscape.

Picnicking weekenders were surprised Saturday afternoon when a woman staggered up to them suffering from multiple stab wounds, her hands tied behind her back, and pleaded for help. She and a friend had been stabbed, she said. She managed to escape but her friend was missing.

The woman, identified as Kaye Susan Wilson, was taken to a Jerusalem hospital with serious injuries. Police, army and emergency personnel set up a command center in the woods and began a massive manhunt for the missing woman and any leads on the perpetrators.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/12/israel-police-investigating-death-of-us-tourist-in-mystery-attack.html