Serial murders in Istanbul: Dark case solved after 19 years

The mystery behind three separate murders in Istanbul, for which the perpetrators could not be found for a long time, has been solved through the dedicated work of police teams. It was determined that the suspect, Fethi Dağlı, killed three people between 2007 and 2022-2024. As the details of the incident emerged, the traps set by Dağlı and his actions following the murders were chilling.

It was determined that Dağlı went to prison after committing his first murder and committed new murders after being released on parole in 2022 due to pandemic-era regulations. Having killed Ahmet Karadağ in 2007, Dağlı targeted 17-year-old Zeynep Yıldırım and then 23-year-old Erva Raziye Asar after his release.

Dağlı created a social media account with a female profile and contacted Erva Raziye Asar, who was looking for cleaning work. He gained the young woman's trust and invited her to his home in Esenyurt, saying, "My brother is looking for a cleaner." During an argument in the house, he strangled Erva to death and placed her body in a freezer. Later, he dismembered her with a bread knife, put the remains in trash bags, and tried to dispose of them by taking them to a construction pit by taxi. Erva's body was found in that construction area in six pieces.

Clues regarding Dağlı's murders emerged when detectives re-examined files of previously unsolved missing persons cases in light of new findings. The Missing Persons Bureau teams determined that Zeynep Yıldırım was also last seen with Fethi Dağlı after Erva's death. During his interrogation, Dağlı confessed to killing Zeynep as well. The young girl's body was found during an excavation at a municipal plot he pointed out.

For now, it is being investigated whether Dağlı has any connection to other missing persons or unsolved cases. It was reported that six people were detained as part of the investigation and that examinations are ongoing.

Dağlı, who ended the lives of all three victims, first killed Ahmet Karadağ after an argument and went to prison, then continued his chain of murders after being released. Police officials emphasize that the prepared file could set a precedent for similar cases in Istanbul.

News Source: 12punto