Exclusive: Notorious Canadian criminal found living in Türkiye, residency laws face scrutiny

Christopher William Adair, a Canadian citizen with an extensive criminal record and a prime suspect in a high-profile murder case in Canada, has been residing in Türkiye for over five years, allegedly taking advantage of the country’s lenient residence laws.

As Türkiye’s foreign residence regulations do not require criminal records from applicants in majority of cases, many criminals take advantage of the legal loophole as in the case of Adair.

Adair’s record includes over 10 criminal charges ranging from theft and fraud to assault.

Who is Christopher William Adair and what is his connection to Lisa Marie Young’s disappearance?

Adair gained notoriety as the main suspect in the 2002 disappearance and presumed murder of 21-year-old high school graduate Lisa Marie Young.

Canadian police sources, speaking exclusively to Türkiye Today, confirmed that Adair remains a “person of interest” in Lisa Marie Young’s murder case.

However, the investigation has stalled because Lisa’s body has not been found since 2002, preventing the discovery of conclusive evidence in the murder case.

Lisa Marie Young disappeared on June 30, 2002, after leaving a house party in the early hours of the morning with Adair, who was reportedly the last person seen with her.

Despite this, Adair was never arrested by Canadian authorities.

Although Lisa Marie Young called her friend “Huley” and complained about Adair’s unusual behavior right before disappearing, Canadian police did not arrest Adair as a chief suspect in a femicide.

How did Christopher William Adair get away with disappearance of Lisa Marie Young?

Critics allege that his grandmother’s influential position in the provincial government and Lisa’s Indigenous heritage played a significant role in the lack of legal action.

The unsolved murder led to discussions in the Canadian parliament in 2020 as one MP said, “If Lisa Marie Young were a white woman and a daughter of a prominent business person in this community, that case would have been investigated properly.” Vigils and awareness campaigns are held annually in her memory, with her family continuing to seek answers.

Young’s disappearance has sparked calls for justice from her family, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and advocacy groups across Canada. Critics have raised concerns over the handling of the investigation, citing systemic issues in cases involving Indigenous women.

Authorities have said they believe foul play was involved. Despite numerous tips and public appeals over the years, no arrests have been made for the murder case. The red Jaguar and the driver, Christian William Adair, who was questioned but not charged, remain central to the investigation.

Christopher William Adair moves between Türkiye, Philippines

Sources indicate that Adair resides in both Türkiye and the Philippines and often travels between the two countries. As of December 2024, Adair is allegedly located in the Philippines as he spends his time there during the winter season. However, Adair continues to have a current residency permit.

According to sources, Adair moved to the Turkish town of Fethiye in 2017 and established a company dealing with real estate and expat regulations.

Some residents learned about the mysterious murder case and wanted to go public about it. Adair reportedly threatened them with legal action which would cause them financial harm.

Turkish residency regulations in question

Adair’s continued presence in Türkiye raises questions about the country’s residence policies and their potential misuse by individuals seeking to evade justice. Many residency experts confirmed to Türkiye Today that migration institutions do not ask for criminal record for tourism residency. However, criminal record is asked during longer term residency applications.

Türkiye does not require a criminal record check from residency applicants unless a case officer deems it necessary.