Final footage of Ece Gürel emerges: She got off at the bus stop, then disappeared

Search efforts, initiated after the relatives of landscape architect Ece Gürel (36) reported her missing after she left her home in Kağıthane's Gültepe neighborhood on Sunday, March 2, saying she was going to the Belgrade Forest, are continuing with the participation of police, AFAD, UMKE, AKUT, and search and rescue teams from numerous district municipalities.

Divers from the Istanbul Fire Department Underwater Search and Rescue (İSAK) team are also conducting dives at the Valide Sultan Dam.

FOUND BELONGINGS TO BE EXAMINED

While teams were continuing search efforts with infrared drones, some items were detected in the inner parts of the forest. Upon this, crime scene investigation teams dispatched to the area found some personal belongings, including a mobile phone, a coat, and a bag.

The items, believed to belong to Gürel, were taken to the police station for examination. Teams were also directed to different points to expand the search area.

CARDIGAN FOUND 14 KILOMETERS AWAY FROM MOBILE PHONE

Meanwhile, the search for Gürel continued throughout the night. Police Search and Rescue (PAK) and Police Special Operations (PÖH) teams also participated in the efforts. Sarıyer District Police Chief Mr. Murat Milletsever also inspected the work on-site at the coordination center.

During the efforts where a very large area was divided into parcels, Crime Scene Investigation teams found a new trace of Gürel. It was learned that her cardigan was found in an area 14 kilometers away from the location where her mobile phone and some personal belongings were found.

HER DOG IS ALSO SUPPORTING THE SEARCHES

On the other hand, the search dog Üzüm is also supporting the searches.

"SHE HAD SAID SHE WAS GOING TO THE FOREST TO GET SOME FRESH AIR"

Ece Gürel's husband, Sezer Gürel, stated in his statement to journalists that his wife left the house at 11:30 and said, "Her family called around 14:30 because they couldn't reach her. I called around 15:00; it rings but isn't answered. Her phone wasn't opened until 18:00. She had told her mother she was going to the forest to get some fresh air. I said I would stay at home."

"NO WORD OR SIGN"

Participating in a television program, Gürel's mother said that her daughter was going to go to Hacıosman after setting out from Gültepe. Stating that she called her daughter around 15:00 but received no answer, and could not reach her after 18:00, the mother said, "After that, there is no word or sign."

MESSAGED HER FRIEND: "I AM LOST"

It was determined that Gürel, who was found to have been messaging with friends in England via social media and sharing photos from the Belgrade Forest, had her final messages revealed. It was determined that Gürel, who messaged her friend saying, "It got crowded here, I couldn't find the main spot," wrote "I am lost."

It was also recorded that Gürel, who was determined to have sent photos afterward, wrote "I sat down, my soul stayed behind." It was determined that her friend wrote "Good for you. I went to the market too. You're super, honey," but did not see the "I am lost" message, and later messaged, "I just saw you said you were lost, isn't your navigation on your phone on?"

"THERE WAS A PROBLEM RELATED TO HER WORKPLACE"

Emphasizing that his wife was a graduate of the Faculty of Forestry and knew the Belgrade Forest, Gürel said, "I tried to search for a tour before the friends arrived. Searches are being conducted with K9 animals. There was a problem related to her workplace during the last snowfall. She was working at a law firm. There was talk of resignation."

MOMENTS SHE LEFT HOME EMERGE

On the other hand, the moments Gürel left her home were recorded by security cameras. The footage shows Gürel leaving the building where she lives with her bag on her arm.

SHE GOT OFF AT THE HACIOSMAN STOP AND WALKED FOR A WHILE

The last footage of the missing woman was recorded by the in-vehicle camera of the IETT bus she took to go to the forest. In the footage, it is noteworthy that Gürel got off the bus she took at the Hacıosman stop at the entrance of the forest and walked for a while.