Mystery pervades death of three siblings in eastern Turkey

All three children died in their sleep in their bed within less than four months in the Tomarlı village of Arpaçay district. Three-year-old Aybüke Güler died on Feb. 21, 5-year-old Enes Güler died on April 7, while 5-month-old Gözde Güler died on May 20.

The Erzurum Forensic Medicine Institute conducted autopsies on the three children, discovering a lung infection on Enes Güler’s body, according to the father. 

“The Arpaçay Prosecutor Office called me and said that a lung infection had been found during Enes’ autopsy. I don’t believe that I lost my son because of a lung infection. I want the examinations to be done in Istanbul. The exact reasons for their death should be revealed,” said Hacı Güler, 35, the father. 

Hacı Güler, mother Zeynep Güler and their only surviving child, Irmak Güler, 6, took several tests at the Erzurum Education and Research Hospital, but no genetic disease was detected.

“They will test the heart beats of Irmak, particularly during her sleep. We will give blood samples for further tests. She might have an infection, but Enes was not sick at all. Now I fear for [the life of] Irmak,” said the father.

The autopsy results of the other two children have not been released yet.

“I have lost three of my children. My only hope is Irmak. I demand help from authorities. An infection could not have taken Enes,” said Zeynep Güler.

Arpaçay District Gov. Faruk Erdem said they would not release the results of the autopsy due to the privacy of the investigation, but added that they believe the deaths were the result of homicide.