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Decadelong Turkish murder mystery to be solved: Murderer’s grave now open

Police teams preparing to exhume the grave, while media personnel wait nearby at the cemetery, Istanbul, Türkiye, October 3, 2024. (AA Photo)
By Selin Hacialioglu
Oct 3, 2024 2:27 PM

The over-a-decade-long murder case of Munevver Karabulut, a very high-profile Turkish murder mystery, is moving closer to resolution after the exhumation of Cem Garipoglu’s grave on Oct. 3.

  • The two met through a study group while preparing for university entrance exams.
  • Munevver came from a middle-class family, while Cem came from a wealthy and influential background.
  • Friends and acquaintances described their relationship as troubled, with frequent arguments and controlling behavior from Garipoglu.

The case, which has held the nation’s attention for 15 years, centers around the brutal murder of 17-year-old Munevver Karabulut in 2009. This tragic case has led to numerous questions, allegations and suspicions over the years.

Decadelong Turkish murder mystery to be solved: Murderer’s grave now open
Munevver Karabulut with her father, Sureyya Karabulut, who has continuously sought justice for her brutal murder. (Photo via X)

Munevver Karabulut’s brutal murder in 2009, murderer Cem Garipoglu’s escape

On March 3, 2009, the body of Munevver Karabulut was discovered in a garbage container in Istanbul, dismembered and brutally mutilated. Her then-boyfriend, Cem Garipoglu, became the prime suspect after her body was found.

Munevver’s body had been gruesomely dismembered, with her head separated from her body and placed in a guitar case, while the rest of her remains were found in a suitcase. Forensic reports revealed she had suffered 29 stab wounds, 13 of which were to her head, indicating the brutality of the attack.

Decadelong Turkish murder mystery to be solved: Murderer’s grave now open
The suitcase and guitar case used to conceal Munevver Karabulut’s dismembered body, found in a trash container in Istanbul, Türkiye, March 5, 2009. (Photo via X)

The murder took place in Garipoglu’s home, where bloodstains and other evidence linked him directly to the crime. After the murder, Garipoglu disposed of her remains in a garbage container near his family’s residence.

Cem Garipoglu fled immediately after the murder, evading authorities for 197 days before eventually surrendering on Sept. 17, 2009, just before his 18th birthday.

  • Garipoglu’s violent outburst during their final argument escalated into unimaginable brutality.
  • He claimed he “lost control” after Munevver insulted him, though the brutality of the crime, including the dismemberment, suggested a far darker side of his personality.
  • Despite his confession, the sheer cruelty of the crime and his attempt to evade authorities for nearly 200 days shocked the nation.

Garipoglu’s surrender just before turning 18 resulted in a lighter sentence under juvenile law. The court sentenced him to 24 years in prison. However, the case continued to spark widespread public outrage, as many believed the sentence did not adequately reflect the brutality of the crime.

Decadelong Turkish murder mystery to be solved: Murderer’s grave now open
Murderer Garipoglu being escorted by police after his arrest for the murder of Munevver Karabulut, Sept. 17, 2009. (Photo via X)

Claims of bribery and interference surrounding Garipoglu family

Several allegations have emerged over the years against the Garipoglu family, who have been accused of using their wealth and influence to interfere with the investigation.

  • Garipoglu’s family was highly influential, which raised concerns about potential judicial interference.
  • Rezan Epozdemir, the lawyer for the Karabulut family, publicly stated that he was offered $3.4 million to withdraw from the case.
  • He also revealed that he faced threats during the trial, including messages and warnings to step away from the case.
  • According to Epozdemir, important evidence such as security footage from Garipoglu’s home was tampered with, raising suspicions about a cover-up.
Decadelong Turkish murder mystery to be solved: Murderer’s grave now open
The couch from Garipoglu’s home, where Munevver Karabulut’s DNA was found, pictured alongside a photo of Garipoglu’s family posing on the same couch years later, July 11, 2011. (Photo via X)

Adding to this suspicion, in 2021, a disturbing photo surfaced, showing members of the Garipoglu family sitting on a bloodstained couch that had Munevver’s DNA on it.

  • The family had not discarded the couch where the murder took place but had moved it to their new home.
  • The photo, where Garipoglu’s family members are smiling, caused further public outrage and reinforced doubts that Cem had indeed taken his own life in prison.
Decadelong Turkish murder mystery to be solved: Murderer’s grave now open
Cem Garipoglu and Munevver Karabulut at a social event before he murdered her. (Photo via X)

Rumors of Garipoglu’s escape from prison, long-awaited exhumation

Although Garipoglu was sentenced and imprisoned, he was found dead in his cell in Silivri Prison in 2014.

  • Authorities ruled his death a suicide, stating that Garipoglu had hanged himself.
  • Munevver’s family has long questioned this, suspecting that Garipoglu faked his suicide and fled the country with help from his family.
  • Some rumors even suggested that he had escaped to China.

Sureyya Karabulut, Munevver’s father, has repeatedly called for an autopsy and the exhumation of Garipoglu’s body to verify his death. Despite these requests being denied for years, the family persisted in seeking the truth.

Their efforts have succeeded as Garipoglu’s grave was exhumed at Karacaahmet Cemetery in Istanbul on Thursday.

Details regarding Cem Garipoglu’s grave exhumation a decade after his death:

  • Forensic teams removed remains from the grave, which will undergo DNA testing to confirm the identity of the body.
  • The results are expected to be released within two weeks.
  • The exhumation took place under heavy security, but no members of the Garipoglu family were present.
Decadelong Turkish murder mystery to be solved: Murderer’s grave now open
Police teams preparing to exhume the grave, while media personnel wait nearby at the cemetery, Istanbul, Türkiye, October 3, 2024. (AA Photo)

Update on Turkish murder mystery: DNA results confirm Cem Garipoglu’s identity

On Oct. 8, forensic experts confirmed that DNA samples taken from the remains matched those of Cem Garipoglu’s parents, Mehmet Nida and Tulay Makbule. The Silivri Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the DNA profile was identical to that of Garipoglu, who had been found dead in his prison cell in 2014.

Karabulut family lawyer Rezan Epozdemir acknowledged the DNA results but expressed concerns about additional findings.

  • He pointed out that a bag was found in the grave, which was documented in the official report. “We requested a forensic examination of the bag for DNA and fingerprints,” he said, noting that the family still harbors suspicions about the case.
  • Epozdemir added, “If the family decides to exercise their right to appeal the findings, we are prepared to submit an objection.” Despite the DNA confirmation, the Karabulut family continues to seek further investigations, particularly regarding potential tampering with the body.

The DNA analysis following the grave opening has confirmed that Garipoglu’s body was indeed buried, closing a significant chapter in the 15-year-long case. However, the Karabulut family still suspects potential interference and cover-ups and aims to continue their pursuit of justice.

Last Updated:  Oct 8, 2024 2:17 PM