Suspicious death in gazebo next to municipal car park in Mersin
A man was found dead in a park in Mersin’s Erdemli district, prompting a police investigation into what is being treated as a suspicious death.
In the early hours of the morning, people passing through the park area next to the municipal car park noticed a man lying motionless on a gazebo bench. Witnesses immediately alerted the emergency hotline and requested medical assistance.
Health teams dispatched to the scene determined that the man, identified as 61‑year‑old Nadir Kar, showed no signs of life. Despite rapid intervention, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police units quickly cordoned off the area around the gazebo, preventing access while initial examinations were carried out. Officers conducted a detailed inspection of the surroundings, looking for any signs of a struggle, personal belongings, or other evidence that could clarify how Kar died.
Because the circumstances of the case could not be clearly explained on site, authorities classified the incident as a suspicious death. After the public prosecutor and crime scene investigation teams completed their on‑site work, Kar’s body was transferred to the hospital morgue for autopsy.
The autopsy is expected to determine the exact cause and time of death, as well as whether there are any traces of violence, intoxication, or underlying health conditions. Toxicology tests will also play a critical role in clarifying whether alcohol, medication, or other substances were involved.
Police have taken statements from those who first discovered the body and from people living or working near the park. Security camera footage from the municipal car park and neighboring streets is being reviewed to establish Kar’s movements prior to his death and to identify anyone who may have interacted with him.
Authorities have not yet made an official statement regarding whether foul play is suspected, but the investigation is being pursued with multiple possibilities in mind, ranging from natural causes to potential criminal involvement. Until the autopsy results are finalized, officials are refraining from definitive comments.
Local residents say the park and the gazebo area are frequented by both families during the day and individuals who sometimes sleep outdoors at night. This raises questions about public safety and lighting in the area, as well as the presence of vulnerable people who may not always have proper shelter or support.
Experts note that in similar cases, investigators typically examine the deceased’s medical history, potential chronic illnesses, and any medications in use. They also try to reconstruct the person’s last 24 hours: who they met, where they went, and whether there were any conflicts, threats, or warning signs.
Another focus of the investigation is whether Kar had any known personal, financial, or family‑related problems that might shed light on his final moments. Police are working to reach relatives and close acquaintances to obtain background information and to assist with formal identification and funeral procedures.
While the case in Mersin remains under investigation, officials are urging the public not to spread unverified claims and to report only concrete information that could help clarify the incident. Any eyewitnesses who may have seen Kar in or around the park before dawn are being asked to contact law enforcement.
The probe into the suspicious death continues in all its aspects, and authorities are expected to share more details once the autopsy report and forensic analyses are complete.
Separate accident in Artvin: father and son missing after car plunges into river
On the same day, another dramatic incident took place in the Şavşat district of Artvin, where a car plunged into the Çoruh River, leaving two people missing.
According to initial reports, a vehicle carrying Selahaddin Kaya and his son, Mecit Kaya, left the road and fell into the fast‑flowing river. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, and weather and road conditions at the time of the crash are being evaluated as part of the inquiry.
Search and rescue teams were immediately mobilized after the alarm was raised. Units equipped with boats, divers, and thermal cameras began sweeping the river and its banks to locate the missing father and son. The strong current of the Çoruh River and its rocky terrain are complicating the operation.
As part of the technical investigation, authorities are examining skid marks, vehicle parts, and the condition of the guardrails at the scene of the accident. The car’s position in the water, once located, will also provide crucial information for reconstructing how the crash unfolded.
In such river accidents, time is a critical factor. Rescue teams are working in coordination, marking possible drift points along the river where the victims or parts of the vehicle might surface. Helicopter support may be requested if visibility and weather conditions permit.
Officials have stated that all possible scenarios are being considered: driver error, sudden mechanical failure, or unexpected road hazards. Witness statements and any available dash‑cam or roadside camera footage will be examined to determine whether other vehicles were involved or whether the car swerved to avoid an obstacle.
Relatives of Selahaddin and Mecit Kaya have gathered near the search area, anxiously awaiting news from the teams. Psychological support personnel are often assigned in such cases to help families cope with the uncertainty during extended search efforts.
The technical examination into the accident in Şavşat is ongoing. Results from the on‑site investigation, combined with the eventual recovery and inspection of the vehicle, will shape the final accident report and help clarify how the father and son disappeared into the Çoruh River.