The chilling threat to Zeren's family, who died in the elevator tragedy: We will dig your daughter up from the grave and burn her.

14.02.2026 11:51

Days before the trial regarding the death of university student Zeren Ertaş, who lost her life in an elevator accident at the KYK dormitory in Aydın, it has emerged that threatening messages were sent to her family. In a message received by the grieving mother, Serpil Ertaş, it was stated, "If you do not withdraw from the hearing, we will dig your daughter out of her grave and burn her. If you ignore this, we will make you and your husband corpses as well."

It has come to light that the family of university student Zeren Ertaş, who lost her life in an elevator accident at the KYK dormitory in Aydın, received death threats just days before the verdict hearing.

Zeren Ertaş, a 4th-year student at Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, lost her life in the elevator accident that occurred on October 25, 2023, at the Güzelhisar Girls' Student Dormitory, which is affiliated with the Credit and Dormitories Institution. According to allegations, the elevator, which was occupied by students, suddenly slid down, and Ertaş was trapped between the cabin and the wall, resulting in her death. Following the incident, the family filed a lawsuit against those responsible.

"IF YOU DON'T WITHDRAW FROM THE HEARING, WE WILL DIG YOUR DAUGHTER OUT OF THE GRAVE AND BURN HER"

Before the verdict hearing of the case, which will be held on February 17 at the İzmir Regional Court, a threat message was sent to mother Serpil Ertaş's phone via WhatsApp from a number with the country code +63, which belongs to the Philippines. The message stated, "If you don't withdraw from the hearing, we will dig your daughter out of her grave and burn her. This is our final warning. If you don't take it seriously, we will make you and your husband corpses too."

"THE TIMING IS SIGNIFICANT"

According to the news from Merve Şişman of Nefes; father Akın Ertaş pointed out that the message arrived just a few days before the verdict hearing and found the timing significant. Ertaş stated, "Messages have also been sent to other families whose children have been killed from the same number. Victim families are not being protected. If I sent a threat message to someone, I would be found immediately, but when it comes to us, the perpetrator cannot be found."

The family filed a criminal complaint due to the threats.