DNA confirms housekeeper Michelle among victims of Erbil missile attack

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - On Thursday, Falah Anwar Karur, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in the Kurdistan Region, informed Kurdistan24 that the DNA tests conducted on body parts discovered under the rubble of the residence belonging to the late Peshraw Dizayee revealed they belonged to Michelle Mendoza, the housekeeper.

"The fate of Michelle has remained unknown for over two months, but it's now confirmed that she perished in the Iranian ballistic missile attack. The Kurdistan Regional Government will make an official announcement," he stated.

On February 17, 2024, Anthony Mendoza, Michelle's eldest son, underwent a DNA test in Erbil to confirm the identity of the recovered body parts.

On Monday Jan. 15, 2024, at least three ballistic missiles fired by Iran hit the private residence of renowned Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee in northern Erbil city during a family gathering, in which four people were killed, including Dizayee and his 11-month daughter.

Furthermore, Dizayee’s son, Rawan Peshraw Dizaiy, was also severely injured in last night’s missile attack.

The attacks drew widespread condemnation from Western countries as well as the United Nations. Baghdad recalled its ambassador from Tehran in protest of what it described as a violation of its sovereignty.

The Iraqi government later filed an official complaint to the United Nations Security Council on the attacks.

The IRGC similarly targeted another residence of a Kurdish businessman in 2022, resulting in significant material damage to the mansion.