Priest Samir Mikhael Daou, who served the parishes of Hsoun and Ferhet in the Jbeil district, was found murdered after going missing on Wednesday afternoon, Jbeil MP Simon Abi Ramia told L'Orient Today on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

According to LBCI, Daou’s family found his body inside a house he owned in his hometown of Ain Jrain (Jbeil), with visible signs of blood. Daou did not regularly live at the house, LBCI reported, adding that the Internal Security Forces’ Criminal Investigation Department arrived shortly afterward and launched an investigation, collecting fingerprints and other evidence.

"Initial information suggests that suspicion had fallen on Syrian workers who were helping Daou harvest his olives before he disappeared," Abi Ramia said.

One of the workers allegedly took the priest’s car and fled after the killing. Security forces are working to track down the suspect and determine his whereabouts.

The Maronite Archbishopric of Jbeil condemned the killing on Thursday, offering its condolences to Daou’s family and the communities he served, and urged the public not to spread unverified information or rumors.

The archbishopric said Bishop Michel Aoun, along with the clergy, monks and nuns of the diocese, condemned the “horrific crime” that claimed Daou’s life. It said he had “dedicated his life to serving God and the faithful.”

It also thanked the security forces for following up on the investigation and praised their efforts to “establish the full truth.” “In these painful hours, we call on everyone to act responsibly and exercise restraint, and not to publish unverified news or circulate rumors,” the statement said.

The Daou family collective condemned the killing in a statement Thursday, describing it as a "heinous crime" that claimed the life of the priest, a native of Ain Jrain (Jbeil).

It described Daou as a man who "dedicated his life to serving others and lived sincerely, humbly and with love for everyone," adding that he "harmed no one and left behind nothing but love, a good reputation and a positive impact."

The collective offered its condolences to his family, relatives and loved ones, stressing that "the sanctity of human life and human dignity are sacred values."

It called on the competent judicial and security authorities to fully investigate the circumstances of the killing, pursue those responsible and refer them to justice. It also called for the harshest penalties permitted by law for anyone found guilty, stating that "justice must not be murdered after a human being has been murdered."

Jbeil MP Ziad Hawat also condemned the killing, questioning the state's ability to maintain security.

"Is there a state or isn't there?" Hawat wrote on X, adding that the number of crimes had "exceeded all limits" and had become unacceptable.

He blamed the security breakdown on what he described as "the dominance of illegal weapons and armed thugs over people's lives."

"People are fed up and want firmness and the prosecution of criminals," he wrote.