11.10.2026 13:02
Bone fragments believed to belong to Rıza Güzel, who was reported missing by his family in 2006 in the Akpınar district of Kırşehir, were found during an excavation carried out in the rural area of Köşker village. The bones were found after the detained suspects confessed and showed the location. Within the scope of the investigation into the crime of "intentional killing," Güzel's wife and 6 children had been detained. Two of his sons among the suspects referred to the courthouse were arrested.
In the case of Rıza Güzel, who was reported missing about 20 years ago in the Köşker village of Akpınar, gendarmerie teams carried out excavation work on the land indicated by the suspects. During the work, which was continued with construction machinery and hand tools, bone fragments were removed from beneath the soil.
EXCAVATION WAS CARRIED OUT AT THE PLACE INDICATED BY THE SUSPECTS
In the work carried out in the wooded area of the village, the scene was surrounded with security tape. Teams from the Provincial Gendarmerie Command Crime Scene Investigation and Gendarmerie Crime Investigation Team (JASAT) carried out careful work with shovels and their hands in the area opened by construction machinery.
THE BONES WERE RECOVERED FROM AMONG PIECES OF CLOTH
During the excavation, a skull and numerous bone fragments found among pieces of cloth were removed from beneath the soil. Crime scene investigation teams marked the bones with evidence numbers and placed them in evidence bags.
MISSING PERSON REPORT FILED IN 2006
On February 5, 2006, the family of Rıza Güzel, born in 1955 and living in Köşker village, filed a missing person report. On February 3, 2015, Kırşehir Civil Court of Peace issued a declaration of absence for Güzel.
In the investigations conducted, it was determined that the traces and signs indicating that Güzel was missing did not reflect the truth. Thereupon, the Kırşehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation for the crime of 'intentional killing'.
UNSOLVED CASE FILE REOPENED
The Department of Investigation of Unsolved Crimes was established on April 24, 2026, within the General Directorate of Criminal Affairs of the Ministry of Justice. Following the establishment of the department, unsolved case files that closely concern the public conscience were taken up for re-evaluation.
Within the scope of the Rıza Güzel file, JASAT teams launched work. A decision was taken to intercept and record the communications of 5 suspects from among family members for 3 months.
INVESTIGATED FROM SATELLITE IMAGERY TO BUS SERVICES
Within the scope of the investigation, 11 people were taken as witnesses in 4 separate provinces and surrounding districts and villages. Hospital records in different provinces were examined, while satellite and aerial photographs belonging to the date of the incident were requested from the relevant institution. Checks were also carried out at intercity bus terminals and on bus services.
In the studies, it was determined that Güzel did not leave the village on the date of the incident. It was established that Güzel, who did not work in a permanent job, lived in the village, operated an illegal taxi, drank alcohol every day, and that there were constant fights within the family.
THE FAMILY'S CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS DREW ATTENTION
After these determinations, the investigation focused on family members. The family members' indifference to the matter and their contradictory statements were found suspicious. The teams took action as a result of judicial interception records, witness statements, and investigations carried out in the region.
MOTHER AND HER 6 CHILDREN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
On October 6, the teams carried out an operation at 6 separate addresses in 3 provinces. In the operation, 7 suspects, including Rıza Güzel's wife and 6 children, were taken into custody. It was stated that the suspects in custody confessed and showed the place where the bones were found.
2 SONS ARRESTED
Suspects Z.G., Levent Güzel, Bülent Güzel, Z.Ş., B.Ş., M.G., and C.G. were referred to the Kırşehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on October 9. After statement procedures, Levent Güzel and Bülent Güzel, who were referred with a request for arrest, were arrested. A judicial control decision was issued for Z.G., who was referred with a request for judicial control, while the other 4 suspects were released after their statements at the prosecutor's office.