27.11.2025 22:05
The international digital broadcasting platform HBO announced that it will turn the case of the Palu Family, one of Turkey's most controversial cases that has not been forgotten for years, into a documentary. In a post on the platform's social media account, it was stated, "One of Turkey's most shocking cases is being reopened with an investigative journalism approach."
One of Turkey's most striking family scandals, the Palu Family case, is now the focus of an international production. The world-renowned digital platform HBO announced that it will address the case, which has been a topic of discussion in the country for years, in a documentary format. In the platform's social media post, the phrases "Dark secrets and real testimonies... One of Turkey's most shocking cases is being reopened" drew attention.
While HBO brings the Palu Family incident back to the forefront with an emphasis on "dark secrets" and "real testimonies," it announced that the documentary will soon be available on HBO Max. The statement noted that the documentary will include exclusive interviews, archival footage, and in-depth research related to the case.
IT SHOCKED TURKEY
Meryem Tanhal and her daughter Melike, who lived in the Körfez district of Kocaeli, went missing 11 years ago, and family members appeared on the "Müge Anlı ile Tatlı Sert" program in 2018, asking for the missing mother and daughter to be found.
Following the claim made by the family's son-in-law Tuncer Ustael that "the bodies were buried at the Tütünçiftlik beach," extensive searches were conducted in the area, but no concrete evidence was found.
As part of the investigation, Havva Palu, Harun Palu, their children İsa, Fatih, and Ayşe Palu, as well as son-in-law Tuncer Ustael and his wife Emine Ustael were taken into custody. All suspects, except for father Harun Palu, were arrested.
During the trial process that began in 2019, reports regarding the mental health of the defendants were requested, and the hearings progressed under close public scrutiny.
IT ATTRACTED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION
The fact that HBO is turning the case, which has been debated for a long time in Turkey, into a documentary will provide an international perspective on the incident for the first time. The platform aims to address not only the criminal case in the documentary but also the effects of the incident on the media, society, and the justice system.
Years later, the Palu Family is coming back into the spotlight, not through a television program, but with a documentary that will be watched worldwide.