The family of a beautiful young girl who died when she was buried in sand by a psychiatric nurse as part of a cleansing ritual are furious that he may dodge a murder charge.

During a recent court hearing in Haifa, Israel, the judge reportedly announced there may not be sufficient evidence to convict Eduard Kachura, who is accused of killing Lital Yael Melnik, 17, by allegedly burying her alive in sand back in October, 2021.

Lital was previously a patient at the Maale Carmel Mental Health Centre, where Kachura, then 49, worked as a nurse.

The two had become romantically involved and kept seeing each other after Lital’s release from the hospital.

Police believe Kachura decided to kill her after allegedly discovering Lital had told a close friend about their relationship.

The victim’s sister, Ruth Melnik, was reportedly devastated after hearing the judge say it is very likely that Kachura will be released due to lack of evidence in his case.

Ruth told local media: “I am not ready to accept such a thing as the release of a murderer and I will not let it happen.”

Kachura, who was reportedly involved in Lital’s care, was accused of her murder after her body was discovered partially buried at a construction site in the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Motzkin, in October 2021.

She was soon declared dead.

But Kachura, who claims 17-year-old Lital was his beloved partner, insists he is innocent.

He claimed it all resulted from Lital’s desire to be ‘cleansed’ by being buried in the sand to “get rid of all fears”.

According to him, that is a therapeutic exercise and maintains that he gave her a mouthpiece through which she was supposed to breathe.

Meanwhile, Lital’s family demands he is kept behind bars as they believe he is responsible for her death.

Ruth said: “If they release him, it will show how disgraceful the court is and why the situation in the country looks like this – each day we hear about another murder.

“I hope the court will do justice, that’s what it was designed for. If the court releases a murderer then there is no justice.”

The family embarked on a wide public struggle when Kacura was arrested.

After the prosecutor’s office considered reducing the charges against him, they worked to bring about an indictment against him for murder.

Now, Lital’s sister is turning to the public once again and asking for their help to get Kacura convicted.

Meanwhile, Kacura is to be held in custody until a final verdict is reached.