Missing Student's Body Found After 35 Days; A Bitter End to the Wait

Details of the Disappearance and the Start of the Search Operation

In a tragic incident that has once again drawn public attention to student safety and mental health, the body of a young student who had been missing for 35 days has been discovered. The student, who was last seen early last month, disappeared without leaving a trace. His family and friends launched an extensive effort to find him using social media and public appeals, but as weeks passed, hopes of finding him alive faded [1].

Initial reports indicate that the 22-year-old student had abandoned some of his personal belongings near residential areas before disappearing. Police and search and rescue teams (AFAD) inspected vast areas of forests and city outskirts using search dogs and drones [2].

Discovery of the Body in Belgrade Forest

Finally, on July 5, 2026, reports emerged regarding the discovery of a body deep within the Belgrade Forest in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul. Crime scene investigation teams were immediately dispatched to the location, and after preliminary examinations, they identified the body as the missing student. According to the F5Haber media outlet, the body was found in a difficult-to-access area that was challenging for rescue teams to reach [1][3].

Evidence at the scene suggests that a significant amount of time has passed since the death, consistent with the 35-day disappearance window. The young man's body has been transferred to the forensic medicine institute to determine the exact cause of death and perform an autopsy.

Police Investigation and Possible Hypotheses

Judicial authorities and Turkish police have launched an extensive investigation to clarify the dimensions of this incident. Although some early hypotheses point toward the possibility of suicide, the police have stated that they are carefully examining all possibilities, including third-party involvement or the occurrence of a crime. A review of the deceased's call records and mobile phone messages is on the agenda to determine his last communications before disappearing [2].

This incident is reminiscent of similar cases such as "Hasan Can Çoban" in 2024, who was also found in these same forest areas after 35 days of searching. The recurrence of such incidents has led experts to emphasize the need for greater social and psychological support for students [3]. The student's family, while expressing deep grief, has called for full transparency in the case proceedings and the announcement of the final autopsy results.