Aydın: Former lottery winner found dead in home

Fikret Otar, a man who won a 4 million lira Milli Piyango lottery jackpot in 1974 at the age of 27, was found dead in his home in the Efeler district of Aydın. Preliminary investigations suggest Otar died by suicide using a shotgun.

After winning the jackpot, Otar had built a significant fortune through investments in real estate and a bus fleet in Aydın and İzmir. However, over the years, he reportedly lost his wealth due to high spending and unsuccessful investments. He eventually moved back into his childhood home with his wife, Nebahat Otar, who is hearing impaired and did not hear the gunshot.

Reports indicate that Otar was deeply distressed because the house, which he had previously transferred to his son, was being put up for sale. Witnesses claim that a day before his death, Otar told friends at a coffeehouse, “I don’t want to leave my home, but my son is selling it. You might not see me again.”