[REVISION HISTORY]
Istanbul unlicensed massage death investigation
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2026-09-20 08:48 UTC → 2026-09-20 16:21 UTC ·
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A 42-year-old man, Berat Topay, died in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district following an unlicensed neck cracking and massage procedure performed by Şenol Karataş. The incident occurred on May 21, when Topay sought treatment for neck pain. Shortly after the procedure, Topay lost consciousness and was hospitalized in intensive care for 14 days before passing away on June 3. Medical professionals initially determined that five blood clots had traveled to Topay’s brain, leading to his death despite resuscitation efforts. Karataş was arrested and charged with “causing death by negligence” and violating laws regarding the practice of medicine. brain. A subsequent autopsy report from the Forensic Medicine Institute found hemorrhaging confirmed widespread bleeding in the brain tissue and spinal cord, as well as clots in some vessels. The report also identified fractures in the sternum and the fourth right rib. While the report noted these injuries, it indicated that the neck vertebrae and major blood vessels remained intact. Karataş, who holds a massage certification, was arrested and charged with “causing death by negligence” and “violating the law regarding the practice of medicine and its branches.” Karataş’s defense attorney argued maintains that the medical findings do not establish a direct link between the procedure and the death, noting that no vascular compression or skeletal abnormalities were identified. identified that would prove causation.
Versions
- 2026-09-20 16:21 UTC Istanbul unlicensed massage death investigation
- 2026-09-20 08:48 UTC Istanbul unlicensed massage death investigation
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