A tourist who went missing in the Israeli desert may be suffering from the so-called “Jerusalem Syndrome.”
Oliver McAfee, a 29-year-old Christian from Ireland, disappeared on November 21 while biking through the Negev desert in Israel.
Now officials say it’s possible McAfee has developed the syndrome.
The “Jerusalem Syndrome” is when a person develops religious delusions such as believing they are the next Messiah.
“It affects mainly Christian pilgrims but is occasionally diagnosed in Jews who tour holy sites. Those affected begin to act strangely, sometimes proclaiming that they are ancient religious figures sent on a holy mission.”
Police in Israel initially believed McAfee got lost but then they found a strange trail of torn-out Bible pages, leading them to suspect him of developing the syndrome.
Raz Arbel, the leader of the volunteer search team, told the Telegraph, “He seems to have been doing all kinds of ceremonies that we don’t really understand.”
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