Mystery has deepened over the death of a glamorous fashion influencer after her family’s lawyer claimed she had allegedly been blackmailed with private photographs before she was found dead.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Aysegul Eraslan, 27, was discovered at her apartment in Kagithane, a district on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey, on 13th March.
The fashion designer and social media personality had been found unresponsive after concerned relatives raised the alarm when she failed to answer her door.
Police forced entry to the apartment and Aysegul was declared dead at the scene.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Investigators carried out fingerprint examinations inside the apartment and reportedly found prints belonging to three people.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
The prints were said to have belonged to members of Aysegul’s family.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Her mobile phones are also set to be examined, with the devices first being checked for fingerprints by the Forensic Medicine Institute before being sent for criminal analysis.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Some writing found in the case, which is not believed to belong to Aysegul, is also expected to be examined by experts.
Blood samples and fingerprints on a knife allegedly connected to the incident are also reportedly being analysed.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
The family’s lawyer, Hasan Yilmaz, said there was evidence Aysegul had been threatened before her death.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
He said: “There is concrete evidence in the file that Aysegul Eraslan was threatened before she died.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
“Suspects have been identified in relation to this, but unfortunately their statements have not yet been taken.
“There is concrete evidence submitted by her family that she was blackmailed over obscene photographs.
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
“Despite the identity of the person being known, the fact that their statement has not been taken deeply saddens us.”
Turkish influencer Aysegul Eraslan, 27, poses in undated photo. She was found dead in her home in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Yilmaz also called for the case to be examined by a unit dealing with unsolved and suspicious deaths.
He said: “We believe this file should be handled within the unit set up for unsolved and suspicious deaths.
“We demand that it be established beyond any doubt whether this was suicide, murder, or incitement to suicide, and that the public be informed.”
Aysegul had posted a haunting message to her social media account shortly before her death, asking followers to look after her dogs.
The bloody note reportedly read: “I am sensitive, or life is really bad. All I want is for my dogs to be looked after.
Picture shows influencer’s last post with a bloody note, undated. She was found dead in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
“I always valued people in life. I also apologise to my father.
“In this life, I never knew the love of a mother or a father. I grew up with a lot of violence.”
Aysegul was known to millions of Turkish viewers through the popular competition show Iste Benim Stilim, translated as This Is My Style.
She had built a successful career in fashion, running a design atelier in Istanbul and preparing collections for shows while also cultivating a large following on social media.
The investigation is ongoing.
(Mike Leidig / Newsflash)
