Israeli-born Australian uni professor and sister murdered in Argentina

Published: 28 January 2019

Last updated: 4 March 2024

The bodies of Lily Pereg, a professor of microbiology at the University of New England, and her sister, Pyrhia Sarussi, were found in Mendoza. Sarussi’s son has been charged with homicide

Australian university professor and her sister found in shallow grave (SMH)
An Australian university professor and her sister have been found dead in a shallow grave in the Argentinian city of Mendoza over the weekend. The close-knit academic community of agricultural scientists in NSW are in shock following the discovery of Lily Pereg, 54, the professor of Microbiology at the University of New England, and her sister, Pyrhia Sarussi, 63.

Bodies of missing Australian university professor and her sister found in Argentina (Guardian)
Remains of Lily Pereg and Pirhya Sarussi discovered near Mendoza, with Sarussi’s son arrested on homicide charges. Police found the pair at the bottom of a property occupied by Ms Sarussi's son, Gil Pereg, 36. Police prosecutors have arrested Mr Pereg and charged him with murder.

Bodies of Israeli sisters in Argentina found after son charged (Times of Israel)
Remains of Pyrhia Sarusi and Lily Pereg uncovered on property belonging to Gil Pereg, who was arrested Friday in deaths of mother and aunt

Photo: Dr Lily Pereg (left) and her sister Pryhia Sarussi disappeared during a trip to visit Sarussi’s son in Mendoza, Argentina (GoFundMe)