Murder Suspect Remanded in Custody for Another 8 Days

Police said Tunçer died of a brain hemorrhage after being struck repeatedly on the head with a professional vertical polishing machine. S.A.T., who was arrested on suspicion of causing his wife Rukiye Tunçer’s death by repeatedly hitting her on the head with a spiral upholstery brushing tool on the Güzelyurt-Nicosia main road, was brought before the court again.

Police told the court that an autopsy determined Tunçer’s cause of death as facial fractures, head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage and brain tissue damage. The court subsequently ordered the suspect to remain in police custody for a further eight days as the investigation continues.

Assistant Police Inspector Ömer Faruk Şengil testified in court and presented the findings of the investigation.

According to Şengil, at around 6 p.m. on September 12, 2026, the suspect was travelling with his wife, Rukiye Tunçer, in a vehicle bearing registration plate AA 642 U along the Güzelyurt-Nicosia dual carriageway, between kilometres 25 and 26, heading from Güzelyurt towards Nicosia.

The suspect got into an argument with his wife inside the vehicle, after which the vehicle he was driving went out of control. It then struck the concrete wall of a business called Tektaş Parke with its front left tyre and left side mirror.

The vehicle continued for approximately 110 metres across a field on the northern side of the road before coming to a stop.

STRUCK HER REPEATEDLY ON THE HEAD

Assistant Police Inspector Şengil said the suspect repeatedly struck his wife, Rukiye Tunçer, on the head with a spiral upholstery brushing tool found inside the vehicle, causing her death.

Şengil said the suspect surrendered to police officers who were called to the scene and subsequently gave a voluntary statement. He added that the brushing tool believed to have been used in the killing was seized as evidence at the scene and would be sent for forensic examination.

AUTOPSY FINDINGS ANNOUNCED

Police said the suspect had previously appeared in court and been remanded in custody for an additional three days.

During that period, an autopsy was carried out on Rukiye Tunçer, which determined that she had died from facial fractures, head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage and brain tissue damage.

Police also said a search was conducted at the suspect’s home, but no evidence was found.

Police requested a further extension of the suspect’s detention, saying that the mobile phones belonging to the suspect and his wife would be examined, while additional statements still needed to be taken and other aspects of the investigation remained to be completed.

TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY FOR ANOTHER 8 DAYS

Judge Gizem Erciyas, after considering the evidence presented before her, ordered S.A.T. to remain in police custody for a further eight days for investigative purposes.

The police investigation into Rukiye Tunçer’s death is ongoing.