The official investigation into the death of Ece Gürel, a 36-year-old landscape architect, who was found in Belgrad Forest on March 6, 2025, has concluded. Gürel, who had gone missing on March 2, was discovered on the fourth day of search efforts. Despite being taken to the hospital, she could not be saved. The prosecutor’s office decided not to proceed with prosecution, as no criminal elements were detected in the thorough investigation.
According to medical reports, the cause of Gürel's death was officially confirmed to be hypothermia and acute kidney failure. While traces of certain drug compounds were found in samples taken from her body, they were not at levels that would have caused poisoning. No other medical evidence was found to suggest any other cause of death.
No Suspicious DNA Evidence Found
Security camera footage and technical analyses from the investigation revealed that Gürel entered the forest alone and was not accompanied by anyone else. No foreign DNA was found on her body, leading investigators to conclude that there was no suspicious activity or third party involved in her death.
Dismissal of Mobbing Allegations
In parallel with the investigation into her death, the prosecutor's office also looked into allegations of mobbing and harassment made by Ece Gürel’s husband, Sezer Gürel, and her father, Muharrem Koçoğlu. They claimed she had been subjected to severe bullying and harassment at her law firm. However, the prosecutor's office dismissed these allegations, finding no concrete evidence of criminal behavior by the accused lawyers.
The prosecutor noted that while the allegations of bullying and harassment could be addressed in civil law through compensation claims, there was no criminal case to pursue.
This is a tragic case that highlights the dangers of hiking in cold weather without proper gear and companions. How can we prevent such incidents in the future and ensure the safety of nature enthusiasts?