18.05.2026 17:31
There has been a new development in the investigation into the murder of high school student Çağla Tuğaltay, who was killed in Şişli in 2000. Upon the request of the Tuğaltay family, an exhumation process has been initiated for four deceased individuals identified as having lived in the area at that time. It has been reported that the first person whose grave was opened within the scope of the investigation is Lütfi Şerbetçi, and the findings obtained will be evaluated as part of the case file.
A striking development has occurred in the 26-year-long investigation into the murder of Çağla Tuğaltay. In the case file of the high school student brutally killed in 2000 in Şişli, Istanbul, an exhumation request has been made for four individuals who lived in the apartment vicinity at the time and have since passed away. It has been learned that the first person whose grave was opened is Lütfi Şerbetçi.
NEW STEP IN THE 26-YEAR-OLD MURDER
On June 5, 2000, Çağla Tuğaltay, returning home from school in Şişli Fulya, was killed by having her throat slit at the apartment entrance. The investigation into this case, which has been among Turkey's long-unsolved murder files, has gained momentum again.
GRAVE OPENED UPON FAMILY'S REQUEST
Upon the application of the Tuğaltay family, an exhumation process was requested for four individuals who lived in the area during the incident and were later determined to have died. It was stated that the first person whose grave was opened was Lütfi Şerbetçi, who lived in a shack near the family's home.
IT EMERGED HE WAS BURIED IN THE PAUPER'S GRAVEYARD
In an examination conducted by authorities, it was learned that Lütfi Şerbetçi died in 2023 and was buried in the pauper's graveyard. It was stated that there was no name or surname on the grave, only the grave record number 376.
It was learned that during the exhumation process, teams from the Homicide Bureau, criminal police, forensic medicine experts, and a prosecutor were present at the scene. It was stated that samples taken from the grave will be examined in detail as part of the investigation.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES MULTIDIRECTIONALLY
While the prosecutor's office and police units continue their work on the Çağla Tuğaltay murder, which remains unsolved despite the years that have passed, it has been learned that new evidence and findings are being investigated in the case file.