28.08.2026 14:00
In Istanbul's Gaziosmanpasa district, 41-year-old Serife Gezer was killed in an armed attack by Hakan Sayaci, whom her family stated was obsessed with her. Gezer's brother, Hasan Huseyin Gezer, said that the suspect had been harassing his sister for a long time, had previously attacked his sister and father, and that a restraining order had been issued against him approximately 15 days before the incident.
The restraining order was not enough to protect Şerife Gezer. In the incident that occurred on Tuesday, August 25, around 10:00 AM in Gaziosmanpaşa's Şemsipaşa Neighborhood, Hakan Sayacı blocked the path of 41-year-old Şerife Gezer as she was walking down the street.
Gezer, who was wounded in the chest and neck as a result of Sayacı's gunfire, was taken to a private hospital unconscious. Despite all the doctors' interventions, Gezer could not be saved.
HE PRESSED THE GUN TO HIS HEAD, POLICE CONVINCED HIM
During their examination at the scene, police teams found 2 shell casings. After the attack, Hakan Sayacı pressed the gun to his own head, but was convinced by police teams' efforts and taken into custody.
Sayacı was referred to the courthouse after his procedures at the police station were completed.
What Şerife Gezer's family told revealed what happened before the murder.
"HE HAS BEEN HARASSING MY SISTER AND MY FAMILY FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS"
Şerife Gezer's older brother, Hasan Hüseyin Gezer, said his sister met Hakan Sayacı about 5 years ago. Gezer, who said the families also met but the relationship later ended, claimed that over the last two years Sayacı constantly harassed his sister and family.
Gezer, saying "He walks around the whole neighborhood and blocks my sister's path," stated that his sister got engaged to someone else about 2 months ago.
According to brother Gezer's account, about 10 days before the incident, Şerife Gezer encountered Sayacı while going to the health center for marriage procedures. Gezer, who said an argument occurred there, stated that Sayacı attacked his sister and father.
A RESTRAINING ORDER HAD BEEN ISSUED AGAINST HIM
Brother Gezer, stating that the police arrived after the incident, said a restraining order was issued against Hakan Sayacı.
Gezer, who said he later asked his sister if she was being harassed, recounted that Şerife told him, "No, don't worry, brother."
While recounting his last night with his sister, Gezer said, "In the evening she offered me fruit. I said, 'I don't feel like eating, I'm down. Are you okay?' The next morning I went and received her dead body."
"THIS MAN DID THIS DELIBERATELY"
Hasan Hüseyin Gezer, stating he watched the footage related to the murder, said he thinks Sayacı planned the attack.
Gezer, saying "This person had it in his mind, he planned it," questioned how the suspect could move so freely in the area despite the restraining order.
Gezer, who said he buried his sister with his own hands, called on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Ministry of Justice to follow the case and ensure the suspect receives the harshest punishment.
HEARTBREAKING WORDS FROM HIS MOTHER: "THEY WITHERED MY BUDDING ROSE"
Şerife Gezer's mother, Sebahat Gezer, said her daughter had been threatened before.
Speaking tearfully, mother Gezer said, "He always threatened my daughter. Through threats, he took her life. Let him stay in prison there until he dies. I beg the judges, the prosecutors; let them give him the harshest punishment."
The grieving mother continued her words as follows:
"They burned my heart, they withered my budding rose. I hurt so much. My child hurt so much. Let other young girls' and other women's lives not be hurt. Let other mothers not cry like me."