The family of Turkish fashion influencer Ayşegül Eraslan claimed she was blackmailed over sexually explicit photos before her tragic death at age 27 on March 13.
The media personality was found dead inside her home in Kağıthane by first responders when loved ones called authorities after not being able to get in contact with her.
The lawyer representing Eraslan’s family, Hasan Yilmaz, alleged that they have evidence the influencer was being blackmailed over explicit pictures and had also received threats, reported the Turkish outlet Sözcü on Thursday.
Eraslan’s family has submitted evidence to the court.
The suspects have since been identified but their statements have yet to be taken.
Yilmaz also stated that the case should be handled by a special unit which investigates suspicious deaths.
The family of Turkish fashion influencer Ayşegül Eraslan claimed she was blackmailed over sexually explicit photos before her tragic death at age 27 on March 13
The attorney for the Eraslan family also insisted that investigators be open and transparent with the public regarding the case.
It comes nearly two months after the media personality was found dead inside her residence on March 13.
Eraslan was found by first responders after her relatives called authorities when she didn’t answer the door to her home after they traveled to see her after she wasn’t answering her phone, the Turkish outlet Sözcü and Cumhuriyet reported at the time.
Following a police review of the scene, medics at Eraslan’s home pronounced her dead.
After a public prosecutor examined the crime scene, according to the outlet, her body had been transported to a forensic medicine investigator.
Information provided by the Kağıthane Public Security Bureau indicated that Eraslan had come home, with a suitcase in hand, on March 11 following a visit to Egypt, according to Sözcü.
Turkish actor Sunay Kurtuluș had been seen in security footage that law enforcement officials reviewed, venturing into Eraslan’s home an estimated hour before she died, Sözcü reported.
He stayed for a short time then departed the premises.
The lawyer representing Eraslan’s family, Hasan Yilmaz, alleged that they have evidence the influencer was being blackmailed over explicit pictures and had also been receiving threats, reported the Turkish outlet Sözcü on Thursday
The media personality was found dead inside her home in Kağıthane by first responders when loved ones called authorities after not being able to get in contact with her
Kurtuluș was questioned by authorities and released after giving a statement, according to Cumhuriyet.
Kurtuluș’ legal team said in a statement on Instagram that the actor was ‘only questioned as part of the investigation and has provided the necessary statements to the relevant authorities from the very beginning of the process.’
Kurtuluș was ‘not at the scene of the incident at the time it occurred,’ his legal team said.
The statement continued, ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ayşegül Eraslan.
‘We pray for God’s mercy upon her and offer our condolences to her family, relatives, and loved ones.’
Daily Mail reached out to police in Istanbul and Kurtuluș’s lawyer for additional comment at the time.
Fingerprints found at the scene were traced to three separate individuals, but it was later revealed that they belonged to members of Eraslan’s family, Sözcü reported in the article published on Thursday.
Information provided by the Kağıthane Public Security Bureau indicated that Eraslan had come home, with a suitcase in hand, on March 11 following a visit to Egypt, according to Sözcü
Mobile phones belonging to the media influencer as well as written notes have been sent in to forensic labs, per the Turkish publication Haberturk.
Both calls and messages are also being looked at by expert teams on the case.
An analysis is also ongoing in regards to blood and biological evidence found on a knife allegedly used in the crime.
Eraslan had established herself as a force in the fashion world on the fashion competition show İşte Benim Stilim.
Eraslan had more than 361,000 followers on her Instagram account, where she identified herself as a fashion designer and linked to accounts promoting her businesses.
Mobile phones belonging to the media influencer as well as written notes have been sent in to forensic labs, per the Turkish publication Haberturk
Eraslan posted multiple photos of herself donning a variety of outfits, and shared clips documenting her trips to a series of far-flung locales.
They included Egypt, Denmark, Sweden and U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Miami and Las Vegas.
A number of social media users posted memorials on Eraslan’s final post.
‘I am very sorry for what [Eraslan] lived through and couldn’t live through,’ said one user. ‘This should not have been the end of a young person. Rest in peace.’
