Puerto Rican volleyball star found dead in Türkiye after Bursa transfer

Pilar Marie Victoria Lopez, the 28-year-old Puerto Rican volleyball star, was found dead in her apartment in Turkiye’s Bursa on Thursday.

Lopez, who had recently joined Nilufer Belediyespor, a team in the Sultanlar Ligi, did not show up for the team’s scheduled training, leading her teammates and officials to search for her.

The tragedy has left the sports community and her fans in deep sorrow.

Officials discover Pilar Marie Victoria Lopez’s body after missing training session

Concerns arose when Lopez, who had always been punctual and committed to her team, failed to attend her training session.

Her teammates and club officials tried to reach her by phone, but she did not respond.

Fearing the worst, officials decided to visit her apartment in Besevler Mahallesi, Bursa. After entering her home with the help of a locksmith, they discovered Lopez unresponsive in her bed. Medical personnel arrived shortly after and confirmed that she had passed away.

Nilufer Belediyespor’s Club Manager Kenan Dastan, who was part of the group that entered her home, stated: “We tried calling her multiple times, but when we couldn’t reach her, we went to her apartment. We found her lifeless in her bed. It’s a devastating loss for all of us.”

‘No signs of foul play at young volleyball player’s passing’

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of Lopez’s death. The initial investigation found no signs of foul play; there was no forced entry and the apartment showed no signs of struggle.

Lopez, who had recently transferred to Nilufer Belediyespor from Beziers Volley in France, had reportedly been taking medication for sleep issues. However, it is still unclear whether this played a role in her sudden death.

The Bursa Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a formal investigation. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. “We are awaiting the results of the autopsy to understand what happened,” Dastan added.

Nilufer Belediyespor mourns loss of Puerto Rican volleyball star

Lopez was a recent addition to the Nilufer Belediyespor roster, joining the team just three weeks ago. Her transfer to Türkiye marked another chapter in her distinguished career, which included playing for the Puerto Rican national team and various professional leagues across Europe.

Lopez also had a successful college career in the United States, where she played for the Texas Longhorns and the Arkansas Razorbacks, earning recognition as an All-SEC outside hitter.

Nilufer Belediyespor expressed their grief in an official statement, emphasizing the impact the Puerto Rican volleyball star had on the team in a short time. “The sudden and unexpected death of Pilar Marie Victoria has deeply shaken us all,” the statement read.

“Her contributions to our team, both as a player and as a person, will never be forgotten. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones.”

Just 24 hours before her death, Lopez shared a story on Instagram featuring a picture with one of her teammates, along with a caption about volleyball.

Her passing has left a void not only in the Nilufer Belediyespor community but also in the broader volleyball world.