Veil of mystery lifted in death of singer Yalın's cousin: Did her boyfriend kill her?

Esthetician Selin Yalın (40) lost her life after being struck in the head by a bullet at a residence in Kartal, Istanbul.

Her contractor boyfriend, Ömer Öktem (48), who was present during the incident, told the young woman's family that she had committed suicide. However, the prosecutor's office, in light of forensic reports, stated that the incident was not an accident, but a murder.

In the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the report prepared by the Council of Forensic Medicine revealed that the death occurred as a result of a "contact shot." The prosecutor's office emphasized that, considering the weapon used and the area of the injury, Ömer Öktem acted with the intent to kill.

Ömer Öktem, who was detained and arrested after the incident, claimed during the investigation phase that the event occurred as a result of an "accident."

However, changing his statement in court, Öktem this time argued that Selin Yalın had committed suicide. Stating, "The gun went off while I was trying to stop her," Öktem claimed that the young woman frequently said she "wanted to die."

In court, Ömer Öktem was asked why he called Selin Yalın's family instead of an ambulance after the incident. Öktem replied, "I went into shock and was sure she was dead." However, this explanation was not found credible by the prosecutor's office or the Yalın family.

Regarding the presence of the weapon in Yalın's hand, the defendant said, "I wanted to commit suicide after the incident too, but I couldn't. I left the gun on top of Selin's hand, but I didn't place it in her hand." Öktem alleged that the young woman watched crime series and knew how to use a weapon.

The prosecutor's office stated that the defendant's statements and the evidence at the scene show that an attempt was made to cover up the murder by making it look like an accident. It was requested that Öktem be tried with a demand for a life sentence.