After retiring from the World Bank in the USA, Prof. started living in Büyükada, Istanbul. Dr. Korhan Berzeg mysteriously disappeared on June 17, 2023 and came to Turkey’s agenda. Berzeg was never heard from again after he went for a walk in the morning from his summer house in Armutlu District of Gönen district of Balıkesir. The search efforts, which involved hundreds of people, were terminated after 130 days. Scenarios of kidnapping, murder, and disappearance and loss of life were put forward regarding the mysterious disappearance of the 84-year-old professor. The previous day, Gelgeç District Headman Ahmet Gülay found Berzeg’s identity card, credit card, trousers and bone fragments by the stream. Mukhtar said, “There was a problem with the water in our neighborhood. While we were looking for the route where the pipes passed, we saw the clothes. “The card that Korhan Berzeg used in public transportation was found in his pocket,” he said. As search efforts restarted in the region, experts commented on the new development to Hürriyet as follows:
THE BONES MAY NOT BE HIS
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Alkan (Forensic Medicine Specialist): “The corpse does not turn into bones in such a short time. It needs to take at least 5 years for it to become bone. But it is also confusing that Korhan Berzeg’s identities were found next to the bones. If he had died as a result of a fall, dogs would definitely smell the corpse, even if animals had torn it to pieces. If the incident is a murder, DNA can be detected if there are tissue samples belonging to a foreign person in the clothing pieces. “It is a surprising event in every sense.”
THERE SHOULD BE A TOXIC INSPECTION
Prof. Dr. Halis Dokgöz (Lecturer at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine): “The clothes at the scene must be examined in detail. Are there any traces of sharp objects or gunshot wounds on him? Toxicological examination should be performed on bones and other biological materials, especially when biological material is found. “An investigation into the cause of death and time of death is also required.”
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF MURDER
Savaş Kurtbaba (Retired police officer): “If it belongs to the missing person, the bones will be examined to see if there are any signs of assault or force. Depending on where it was found, 99 percent of the bodies were moved here. Animals can do this. This incident is not a simple incident. I have a suspicion that he was kidnapped. The most important evidence is the dog. They probably starved the dog and sent it back to the scene. It may also have given the impression that animals had torn it to pieces. If no traces of animal bones are found, the likelihood of murder increases much more.
DNA SAMPLE FROM DAUGHTER
The bones found will be sent to Bursa Forensic Medicine Institute for DNA analysis. It will be determined whether the bones belong to Berzeg or not with the DNA sample given by her daughter Nisa Berzeg, who came from England.
FAMILY’S LAWYER: WE ARE VERY SURPRISED
Korhan Berzeg’s Doberman dog Tina, with whom he disappeared, returned after 74 days. This increased suspicions. Berzeg Family’s lawyer, Emre Akkaş, confirmed that the ID and cards belong to Korhan Berzeg. Akkaş, who made a statement in Gönen, where he came from Istanbul, said: “Certain cards, identity cards, bank cards and certain pieces of clothing were found. In addition, bone fragments were also revealed. Of course, we are very surprised. Currently, investigations by the prosecutor’s office and law enforcement forces are continuing in the region. The process continues, and of course we follow the file.
The process ends within 2-3 weeks with the DNA sample given by his daughter Nisa Berzeg. Ms. Angela had hope. He follows this process with fortitude. “This process has started again, so to speak, and we can see this process progressing again.”
SEARCH HAS BEEN STARTED AGAIN
On the other hand, a new search operation was launched in an area of 2.5 kilometers from Korhan Berzeg’s house in Armutlu District, starting from the early hours of yesterday morning. 1 cadaver dog and 59 personnel are participating in the searches.
DID HE LOST HIS WAY?
The fact that Korhan Berzeg’s belongings were found on the path at the top of the area, which had been searched many times before, strengthened the possibility that Berzeg, who had Alzheimer’s disease, had lost his way, while the authorities stated that it was not possible for Berzeg to go down to the path where the bones and clothes were found. While the fact that the bottom of Berzeg’s trousers were torn and torn strengthens the animal attack, it is also considered that the body was torn apart by animals and brought to the riverside.
ALL ITEMS IN THE SAME PLACE
Materials found along with bone fragments by the stream were also revealed. During the crime scene investigation, 1 vehicle key and various keys, a credit card from 3 different banks issued in the name of Korhan Berzeg, 1 bank card, a shredded Istanbul free transportation card, a shredded Istanbul Blue Card, a driver’s license and an ID card, and a shredded brown wallet were found. 1 piece of 100 TL, 1 piece of 50 TL and 4 pieces of 10 TL were found.
