Man Who Left Istanbul Hospital Without Permission Found Dead After Phone Signal Redirects Investigation

A final phone signal led Istanbul police to the home of a man who had last been in contact with Z.Y., who disappeared after leaving a hospital in 2022.

Z.Y. had been brought to the hospital for treatment on Sept. 12, 2022, but left without permission and was not heard from again. Investigators from the Missing Persons Bureau examined phone records and signal data.

Police determined that Z.Y.’s last contact was with F.D. and that the final signal from Z.Y.’s phone came from F.D.’s home in Esenyurt. F.D. was later arrested and sent to prison in 2024 on an intentional homicide charge.

Investigators determined that Z.Y. died between Oct. 4 and Oct. 10, 2022. They identified six people believed to be connected to the case or to have information about it. Police detained all six in coordinated operations in Istanbul and Sinop on Sept. 1, 2026.