Father Samir Daou, a Syriac Maronite priest, was found murdered at his home in the village of Ain Jrain in Lebanon’s Jbeil District.

Daou’s phone signal reportedly went undetected around 1 p.m. on Wednesday. After his reported disappearance, search operations were launched near his last cell signal.

While authorities have not released information regarding a suspect or a motive for the killing, Daou, who pastored parishes of Hsoun and Ferhet in Jbeil District, reportedly had hired a Syrian worker to help him harvest olives in his hometown. His car had also been stolen. Authorities are reportedly investigating these connections.

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