Muğla family appeals suicide ruling for specialist sergeant

The family of Ahmet Ziya Yıldız, a specialist sergeant serving under the Muğla Provincial Gendarmerie Command, has appealed a decision to close the investigation into his death. Yıldız was found dead from a gunshot wound in his home in the Menteşe district on January 17, 2026.

While authorities initially ruled the death a suicide and decided not to pursue further prosecution, the family claims several pieces of evidence were overlooked. They noted that Yıldız had been in contact with family and appeared cheerful the day before his death.

The family’s appeal includes requests for a forensic digital examination of his phone and WhatsApp account, alleging that messages appeared to have been read and deleted after his death. They also requested an investigation into high-value foreign currency transfers in his bank accounts prior to the incident and the existence of a second mobile phone that was allegedly withheld from them.