07.01.2026 15:15
The last images of Elif Kumal, whose lifeless body was found in a lake 8 days after going missing in the Erdek district of Balıkesir, emerged months after she disappeared.
Elif Kumal's lifeless body was found in her vehicle in the pond 8 days after she left the campsite following an argument with her boyfriend in the Erdek district of Balıkesir. According to initial findings, the cause of Elif's death was drowning.
LAST IMAGES REVEALED
Records claimed to be the last images of Elif Kumal, taken months before her disappearance, have emerged. In those images, Elif is looking up from inside her vehicle. However, it is still unknown exactly where or to whom the young woman was looking.
DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED
On the other hand, after being removed from the pond, the interior of the vehicle was filmed. In the footage, it was observed that the driver airbag did not deploy, yet the side airbags deployed and opened.
While serious damage and fragmentation were detected on the underside of the vehicle, it was also confirmed that a lower guard (sump protection) piece found on the lake shore in the early days of the incident belonged to Elif Kumal's vehicle.
Additionally, it was learned that gray plastic parts belonging to the front bumper protection, which were determined to have been added to the vehicle later, were found on the lake shore during the first days of the search and rescue operations, and upon examination after the vehicle was removed from the pond, it was understood that these parts also belonged to the same vehicle.
FRONT TIRES FLAT, HAND BRAKE ENGAGED
On the other hand, an examination of the vehicle revealed that the front tires were flat. It was also observed that the gear was in the park (P) position and the handbrake was engaged.
WINDOW HALF OPEN
However, it has not yet been clarified whether the vehicle was found in this condition at the scene or if it was brought to this position during the recovery by divers. Another striking detail in the vehicle is that the driver's window was half open. These findings have raised questions regarding the course of the incident, while it was reported that the investigation into Elif Kumal's disappearance is being conducted meticulously.
WHAT HAPPENED?
33-year-old Elif Kumal had gone to the Kapıdağ Peninsula in Balıkesir to camp with her boyfriend. On December 27, 2025, an argument broke out between the couple, and Kumal left the campsite with her vehicle.
Elif's vehicle was found 8 days later through the work done by the Gendarmerie Special Operations Command teams using the "Lateral Scanning Sonar Device."
Elif's lifeless body was found in the driver's seat of the vehicle in the Yukarıyapıcı Pond. The preliminary autopsy determined that the woman died as a result of drowning.
As part of the investigation, Kumal's boyfriend and a friend who was with them were detained, but both were released due to lack of evidence.
A funeral ceremony was held for Elif Kumal in the Bandırma district of Balıkesir. The woman's body was buried in the village cemetery after the prayer.