Timeline
March 23, 2026 — March 30, 2026
World
Timeline: Three Suspicious Deaths in Turkey Over One Week
This timeline tracks three separate suspicious deaths of women in Turkey that occurred within a week in late March 2026. The cases involve an English teacher found in a river in Antalya, a female prison head guard found dead with signs of assault in Aydın, and a Syrian woman found shot in her home in Antalya. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about violence against women in Turkey.
6 events · 7 days · 12 source articles
Mon, Mar 23, 2026
Major
English Teacher Found Dead in Manavgat River
The body of Rümeysa Güven, a 29-year-old English teacher, was discovered floating in the Manavgat River in Antalya's Manavgat district during morning hours. Witnesses reported seeing a motionless person on the water surface and alerted authorities. Coast Guard and health teams were dispatched to the scene to recover the body.
Mon, Mar 23, 2026
Major
Investigation Launched into Teacher's Suspicious Death
After the body was recovered from the Manavgat River, authorities identified the victim as English teacher Rümeysa Güven. Her body was sent to the Antalya Forensic Medicine Institute morgue to determine the exact cause of death. A suspicious death investigation was opened to determine how the incident occurred and whether any criminal elements were involved.
Sun, Mar 29, 2026
Major
Female Prison Head Guard Found Dead at Home in Nazilli
Hayal Alkış, a 46-year-old head guard at Nazilli Penal Institution in Aydın, was found dead in her third-floor apartment in Zafer Neighborhood. Relatives who could not reach her reported the situation to emergency services and police. When health teams arrived, they determined she had lost her life, and signs of assault were discovered on her body during initial examination.
Sun, Mar 29, 2026
Major
Prison Guard's Male Colleague Detained and Arrested
Following the discovery of assault marks on Hayal Alkış's body, police detained S.V., a male colleague who also worked at the Nazilli Penal Institution. After questioning, the suspect was formally arrested in connection with her death. Nazilli Chief Public Prosecutor Murat Dilsiz and District Police Chief Erdal Esen personally came to the scene to gather information. It was learned that Alkış had recently divorced her husband and was a mother of three children.
Sun, Mar 29, 2026
Major
Syrian Woman Found Shot in Chest at Antalya Home
Vahda Al Åževvah, a 25-year-old Syrian national, was found dead with a single gunshot wound to her chest at her home on 7509 Street in Åželale Neighborhood, Kepez district of Antalya. Police were initially informed through a report claiming she had accidentally shot herself. The married mother of three was pronounced dead at the scene by health teams.
Mon, Mar 30, 2026
Moderate
Suspicious Death Investigation Opened for Syrian Woman
After the initial report of accidental self-inflicted gunshot, investigators from the Homicide Bureau and the prosecutor's office launched a thorough investigation into Vahda Al Åževvah's death. The scene investigation revealed she had been shot once in the chest with a handgun. Her body was transported to the Antalya Forensic Medicine Institute for autopsy. Authorities are investigating whether the death was suicide or homicide, finding the circumstances suspicious.
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