16.06.2026 22:21
The trial of Halil Tezkorkmaz, who killed his ex-wife Demet Akarsu with 31 stab wounds in İzmir's Çiğli district, continued. The indictment stated that after the incident, Tezkorkmaz took a photo of Demet Akarsu lying in blood on the ground and sent it to her sister with the message, "What happened, I killed your sister. It's your turn, put on the henna."
In the Çiğli district of İzmir, S.G., a friend of the woman who was a witness in the trial of Halil Tezkorkmaz (46), who stabbed his ex-wife Demet Akarsu (45) to death, said, "Demet had been experiencing violence since the first day of their marriage."
KILLED HIS EX-WIFE WITH 31 STAB WOUNDS
The incident occurred on July 19, 2025, at around 07:30 in a house on 8953 Sokak in the Balatçık neighborhood of Çiğli. An argument took place in June between Demet Akarsu and her ex-husband Halil Tezkorkmaz. During the argument, Tezkorkmaz stabbed Akarsu multiple times. Upon neighbors' reports, police and medical teams were dispatched to the scene. After initial intervention, Akarsu was taken to Bakırçay University Çiğli Training and Research Hospital. Despite medical efforts, Akarsu, who sustained 31 stab wounds, could not be saved. Halil Tezkorkmaz, who was found to have a restraining order filed against him by Akarsu, was taken into custody at the scene with the murder weapon.
After police procedures, Tezkorkmaz was referred to court and arrested. It was also determined that Tezkorkmaz had a lengthy criminal record for offenses including carrying an unlicensed weapon, intentional wounding, and intentional killing.
"TOOK A PHOTO AND SENT IT TO HER SISTER"
In the indictment prepared regarding the incident, it was stated that Tezkorkmaz stabbed Akarsu in various parts of her body with a knife he took from the kitchen. The indictment also included that Tezkorkmaz took a photo of Demet Akarsu lying in a pool of blood and sent it to Akarsu's sister. After receiving the message, Akarsu's sister called Tezkorkmaz, who said, 'What happened, I killed your sister. You're next, get ready for mourning.'
The indictment, prepared with a request for aggravated life imprisonment for the defendant on charges of 'intentional killing with monstrous intent and torture,' was accepted by the Karşıyaka 2nd Heavy Penal Court.
"DEMET SAID SHE WAS AFRAID"
The trial of defendant Tezkorkmaz continued today at the Karşıyaka 2nd Heavy Penal Court. Akarsu's relatives attended the hearing along with Tezkorkmaz. S.G., a 24-year friend of the murdered Akarsu, was heard as a witness. S.G. said, "Demet had been experiencing violence since the first day of their marriage. I always tried to reach Demet. She was constantly being abused. The defendant didn't want us to meet either. She told me she was afraid."
"HIS DETENTION WILL CONTINUE"
Defendant Tezkorkmaz, arguing that S.G. was not telling the truth, said, "The witnesses are not telling the truth. I sacrificed everything for Demet. She ruined my life. I wouldn't have wanted it to be like this; I wish I had died."
The court panel decided to continue Tezkorkmaz's detention and adjourned the hearing to September 8 to address deficiencies in the case file.