Funda Bakış: National gymnastics coach fatally stabbed in Istanbul

National gymnastics coach Funda Bakış, 39, was fatally stabbed in Sancaktepe, Istanbul, following a dispute over a debt. The incident occurred on August 30, 2026, near a cafe close to the sports salon Bakış operated.

Police arrested three suspects, including 21-year-old Zehra G., a former employee of Bakış. According to Zehra G.’s statement, the motive was a financial dispute involving approximately 150,000 Turkish Lira. The suspect claimed she had provided Bakış with 120,000 Lira from a bank loan and 30,000 Lira in gold, but felt she was being repeatedly delayed in receiving repayment.

Bakış, a prominent figure in the Turkish gymnastics community who served on the national artistic gymnastics technical team, died at the hospital despite medical intervention. Following the investigation, Zehra G. was arrested and sent to prison, while two other suspects were released under judicial control.