Recap: New evidence surfaces in 8-year-old Turkish girl’s murder investigation

Authorities in Türkiye have revealed new developments in the investigation of the 8-year-old Turkish girl’s murder.

Narin Guran’s disappearance captivated the nation for nearly three weeks before her body was found on Sept. 8 in a sack, concealed under stones and leaves, in a stream in Diyarbakir province. Recent footage and forensic analysis have further implicated members of her family.

Family implicated in premeditated murder of Narin Guran

Several family members, including Narin’s uncle Salim Guran, her mother Yuksel Guran, and her older brother Enes Guran, remain in custody.

Investigators discovered Narin Guran’s DNA in Salim’s car, leading to his arrest. His associate, Nevzat Bahtiyar, confessed to hiding the body, stating that Salim threatened him:

• “Salim said, ‘You will get rid of this, or I’ll come for you and your family,’” Bahtiyar revealed during interrogation.
• The motive for the murder allegedly stems from Narin witnessing an illicit relationship involving her mother, uncle Salim and another relative on Aug. 20.
• Fearing she would reveal their secret, the family reportedly conspired to kill her.
• The next day, after returning home from a Quran lesson, Narin was lured into a barn and murdered.

New footage exposes family’s attempt to cover up Turkish girl’s murder

Newly revealed footage from a “Sahin Gozu” (Eagle Eye) military surveillance camera has shown how Bahtiyar, on the day Narin Guran disappeared, drove his car to the stream where her body was later found.

• The footage confirms that Bahtiyar carried a sack containing Narin’s body and placed it under several stones to prevent it from being swept away by the water.
• Investigators believe Bahtiyar’s actions aimed to speed up the body’s decomposition.
• Forensic teams used satellite imagery to pinpoint the exact location where Bahtiyar walked, covering a distance of 150 meters to the stream.

This revelation has tightened the investigation, with the authorities focusing on the movements of other family members involved in the cover-up.

Legal moves by Guran family amid public outrage

While the investigation intensifies, the Guran family has hired 12 lawyers to file 415 lawsuits against individuals who criticized the family on social media. These lawsuits have drawn criticism, with many accusing the family of attempting to shift focus from the ongoing investigation.

Public outrage continues to grow, especially among activists highlighting the broader issue of violence against women and children in Türkiye. This year alone, 14 girls have been murdered, often by male relatives.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc assured the public that those responsible for Narin’s murder will be held accountable.

“We will ensure that the truth is fully uncovered and that those who killed our precious girl face the harshest penalties allowed by law,” he said in a recent press conference.