New Breakthrough in 11-Year-Old Murder Case: Zeynep’s Body Found in Suitcase Thrown into Stream Bed
Woman Missing for Years Found to Have Been Murdered
Savaş Sanatma, a resident of Yeşiloba Neighborhood in TOKİ houses, reported his partner Zeynep Söğüt missing after she disappeared in December 2013. Zeynep’s mother, Arbiye Ballı, also expressed her concerns about her daughter’s safety and suspected foul play. The case was initially closed, but in 2020, Homicide Bureau teams reopened the case and arrested Sanatma, his friend Ersin Yalçınkaya, and relative Nazlı Tuğlucan for the alleged murder of Zeynep Söğüt.
During the investigation, chilling details emerged about the events leading to Zeynep’s disappearance. Sanatma confessed that Yalçınkaya had killed Zeynep and described how her body was disposed of in a stream bed. Yalçınkaya, on the other hand, claimed that Sanatma was the one responsible for Zeynep’s death. Tuğlucan admitted to helping dispose of a suitcase but denied knowledge of its contents.
Despite an extensive search for Zeynep’s body, no human remains were found. Nonetheless, the three suspects were charged with premeditated murder. In 2023, Sanatma and Yalçınkaya were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Tuğlucan received a three-year sentence for concealing evidence.
However, the case took a turn when the court of appeal overturned the initial verdict due to insufficient evidence. The trial was reopened, and the defendants maintained their innocence, leading to a continuation of the legal proceedings. The case remains ongoing as authorities work to bring justice for Zeynep Söğüt and her grieving family.
As the investigation continues, more questions arise about the circumstances surrounding Zeynep’s tragic fate. The search for answers and closure for the victim’s loved ones remains a top priority for law enforcement and the judicial system.
