17.07.2026 12:50
The father of university student Rojin Kabaiş, whose lifeless body was found 18 days after she went missing in Van, announced that they demand a diatom test to determine whether she drowned, and if necessary, an exhumation procedure. He also stated that phone signals will be examined and that they have received threatening messages.
The father of university student Rojin Kabaiş (21), whose lifeless body was found 18 days after she went missing in Van in 2024, Nizamettin Kabaiş, stated that they applied for a 'diatom' test to determine whether his daughter drowned, and if the test with the forensic medicine samples yields no result, an exhumation will be carried out.
Rojin Kabaiş, a first-year student in the Department of Child Development at the Faculty of Education of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, went missing after leaving her dormitory on September 27, 2024. Her lifeless body was found 18 days later, on October 15, on the shore of Mollakasım District, on the coast of Lake Van. In the report submitted to the file by the Forensic Medicine Institute's Biological Specialization Department on October 10, 2025, it was stated that DNA belonging to two different men was detected in the chest and internal vaginal area of Kabaiş. A comprehensive DNA screening was conducted on individuals who may have come into contact with the body during its transfer from the scene to the Forensic Medicine Institute Van Group Directorate Morgue Specialization Department. To date, DNA samples have been taken from 413 people, including university and dormitory security personnel.
PHONE SIGNALS WILL BE INVESTIGATED Stating that they went to Van a while ago with their new lawyers Abdurrahman Karabulut and applied for a diatom test, Rojin's father Nizamettin Kabaiş said, "The diatom test had not been done before. Our new lawyer requested it from the prosecutor. Our lawyer is focusing on issues like cameras, the white car, and the roommate's statement. Hopefully, the case will be resolved. There are many gaps. They haven't done these things before. For two years, I've been in agony, suffering. They murdered my child. Our lawyer Abdurrahman Karabulut stayed in Van for three days. I went with him and met with the prosecutor's office. He obtained copies of those camera recordings, how many days Rojin stayed there, where she went, and who she was with. He is currently reviewing them at home. He also requested the diatom test. The new Minister of Justice has also contributed greatly. They sent a device for the case. We learned this from the prosecutor as well. That device will be used to analyze phone signals. Whoever's phone gave a signal there that night will be questioned. After that, the DNA test will be examined. If the phone signals are checked, the case will be easily resolved. It's not an unsolvable case. But why are they making us suffer so much?" he said.
"EVEN IF 50 YEARS PASS, I WILL NOT GIVE UP THIS CASE" Stating that the exhumation process is difficult for them, father Kabaiş said, "Even if it's not 2 years, even if 50 years pass, I will still not give up this case. Even if it costs my life, I will continue my struggle. Because I keep receiving threat messages. Those who send them think, 'Maybe if we send a threat message, he'll give up,' but I will definitely not give up. So, my family and my children are in a difficult situation. It is clear that this is a murder. If DNA of two men has been identified, how is this a suicide? Work is being done in both directions, but this is a murder. Opening the grave again will certainly be difficult, but uncertainty is harder. I mean, if the cause of death is unclear, that is harder. They keep saying 'It was drowning.' The opinion is also in that direction. If necessary, if it comes to that point, we will open the grave. We expressed this together with the lawyer. We still don't know what happened to Rojin. Male DNA has been identified. There is no water in her lungs. These are major pieces of evidence, proof. I also told the Chief Public Prosecutor and pleaded. I said, 'Enough now, wrap up this case.' We asked them to explain. It is officially written in the file that there is no water in her lungs. The lawyers also shared that with us. But some officials, local officials in Van, the authorities there, do not want this. They do not want this case to be resolved. Especially the management of Van University, the rector, the directors there, and the security chief. Because they have major negligence. They abused their duties. They informed us 17 hours later," he said.
THREAT MESSAGES TO SON WHO WENT TO MILITARY SERVICE Stating that threatening messages were also sent to his son who is in military service, Kabaiş spoke as follows:
"I constantly go back and forth to Van. I go back and forth to Ankara. My children are suffering. One of my sons went to military service. He still receives threatening messages. We keep telling the state about this, we plead. I mean, take some precautions. They can also find the people making these threats. To see if there is any connection with the murderers. Why isn't this being identified? Let Ankara hear my voice."