05.03.2025 08:10
In Istanbul, search and rescue efforts continued late into the night for 36-year-old Ece Gürel, who was reported missing after telling her friends that she was going to Belgrad Forest. During the operations, Crime Scene Investigation teams discovered new evidence. It was learned that her mobile phone and some personal belongings were found in an area 14 kilometers away, where her cardigan was also located.
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Ece Gürel (36), who left her home in the Gültepe neighborhood of Kağıthane on Sunday, March 2, saying she would go to Belgrad Forest, is the subject of ongoing search efforts initiated after her relatives reported her missing. The search operations are being conducted with the participation of police, AFAD, UMKE, AKUT, and numerous search and rescue teams from various district municipalities. Divers from the Istanbul Fire Department Underwater Search and Rescue (ISAK) are also conducting dives at the Valide Sultan Dam.
HER BELONGINGS WERE FOUND
While the teams continued their search efforts with infrared drones, some belongings were detected in the inner parts of the forest. In response, crime scene investigation teams dispatched to the area found several personal items, including a mobile phone, a jacket, and a bag. The items, believed to belong to Gürel, were taken to the police for examination. Teams were also directed to different locations to conduct broader search efforts.
NEW EVIDENCE WAS REACHED AT NIGHT
Police Search and Rescue (PAK) and Special Operations (PÖH) teams also participated in the ongoing nighttime efforts. Mr. Murat Milletsever, the Sarıyer District Police Chief, examined the work on-site with the teams at the coordination center. During the operations, which involved dividing a very large area into parcels, the Crime Scene Investigation teams reached new evidence. Additionally, the search dog Üzüm is also assisting in the searches.
HER CARDIGAN WAS ALSO FOUND
It was learned that her cardigan was found in an area 14 kilometers away from where Gürel's mobile phone and some personal belongings were discovered.
SHE HAD GONE TO GET FRESH AIR IN THE FOREST
Ece Gürel's husband, Sezer Gürel, stated in a press release that his wife left home at 11:30 AM, and "At around 2:30 PM, her family called because they couldn't reach her. I called at 3:00 PM; it rang but she didn't answer. Her phone remained unanswered until 6:00 PM. She had told her mother that she was going to get some fresh air in the forest. I said I would stay at home."
"NO SOUND OR SIGN"
Gürel's mother, who appeared on a television program, said her daughter was heading to Hacıosman from Gültepe. She expressed that she called her daughter around 3:00 PM but did not receive a response, and after 6:00 PM, she could not reach her, stating, "After that, there was no sound or sign."
MESSAGES EMERGED
It was determined that Gürel had been messaging her friends in England via social media and sharing photos from Belgrad Forest, and her last messages have also come to light.
"I SAT DOWN, MY SOUL WAS LEFT BEHIND"
Gürel messaged a friend saying, "This place has gotten crowded, I couldn't find the main spot." It was found that she wrote "I got lost." Later, it was recorded that Gürel, who was also found to have sent another photo, wrote, "I sat down, my soul was left behind." Her friend replied, "Good job, Gürel. I also went to the market. You're great, dear," but it was determined that Gürel's message "I got lost" was missed, and her friend messaged, "I just saw that you said you got lost; isn't your navigation on your phone?"
THERE WAS A PROBLEM AT WORK
Gürel emphasized that his wife graduated from the Faculty of Forestry and knew the Belgrad Forests, stating, "Before my friends arrived, I tried to search a bit. Searches are being conducted with K9 dogs. There was a problem related to her workplace during the last snowfall. She was working at a law office. Resignation was on the table."
THE MOMENTS SHE LEFT HOME EMERGED
Additionally, footage of Gürel leaving her home was recorded by security cameras. The footage shows Gürel exiting the building where her home is located with a bag on her arm.
SHE GOT OFF AT HACIOSMAN STOP AND WALKED FOR A WHILE
The last footage of the missing woman was recorded by the internal camera of the IETT bus she boarded to go to the forest. The footage shows Gürel getting off the bus at the Hacıosman stop and walking for a while at the entrance of the forest.
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