Beyoğlu Stabbing: The Shifting Narrative of Ümit İmrağ’s Death
ISTANBUL, Beyoğlu – The death of 21-year-old Ümit İmrağ, who succumbed to a stab wound in his leg, has taken a dramatic turn, exposing inconsistencies and raising serious questions about the initial police investigation. What began as a reported self-inflicted wound has now led to the arrest of İsmihan K., 31, İmrağ’s aunt by marriage, on charges of intentional killing. This detailed investigation uncovers the timeline of events, conflicting statements, and the crucial evidence that led to a re-evaluation of the case.
The Initial Incident and İsmihan K.’s Account
The tragedy unfolded on January 17, 2026, at approximately 03:15 AM in Kulaksız Mahallesi. According to initial reports, a heated argument erupted between Ümit İmrağ and İsmihan K. inside her home. İsmihan K., who had lost her husband six months prior, claimed that İmrağ, during their altercation, stabbed himself in the leg with a bread knife. She then reported the incident to emergency services. İmrağ was rushed to Okmeydanı Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu City Hospital but died from severe blood loss due to a severed artery.
Following her statement, İsmihan K. was initially released by the prosecutor’s office. This decision immediately raised eyebrows, especially given the suspicious nature of a self-inflicted wound to the back of the leg, as later revealed by forensic examination.
Unraveling the Truth: New Evidence and Re-arrest
However, the Beyoğlu Public Order Bureau, unconvinced by İsmihan K.’s account, launched a more thorough investigation. Their findings revealed critical discrepancies:
- Stabbing Location: İmrağ’s wound was located on the back of his right leg, making a self-inflicted injury highly improbable.
- Security Camera Footage: Newly obtained security camera footage provided a clearer timeline of events:
- 02:38 AM: Ümit İmrağ enters İsmihan K.’s apartment with a key.
- 02:51 AM: İsmihan K. arrives home, chatting with a neighbor. She knocks on the door, and İmrağ lets her in.
- Approximately 02:55 AM: An argument erupts inside the apartment, just four minutes after İsmihan K.’s entry.
- Witness Testimony: A neighbor, Öznur S., reported hearing İsmihan K. screaming, “Ümit, what have you done?” This contradicts İsmihan K.’s claim of İmrağ acting alone.
- Audio Evidence: In the security footage, İsmihan K. is heard shouting, “What are you doing?” and “You cut yourself?” followed by the sound of objects falling. This suggests a struggle rather than a calm, self-inflicted injury.
Based on this compelling new evidence, İsmihan K. was re-arrested and subsequently charged with intentional killing. She has since been sent to prison.
The Troubled Background of Those Involved
The investigation also brought to light the troubled pasts of both Ümit İmrağ and İsmihan K.:
- Ümit İmrağ: Had a record of 17 offenses, including theft and drug use.
- İsmihan K.: Had 4 prior records for intentional injury. Disturbingly, a social media post from İsmihan K. surfaced, featuring a photo with the caption: “I’ll cut all of you, I won’t remember anything by morning, that’s how it is.” This chilling statement adds another layer of suspicion to her involvement.
A Brother’s Desperate Plea and a Tragic Past
Approximately 13 minutes after the initial altercation, İmrağ’s twin brother, Emirhan İmrağ, arrived at the apartment. Security footage captures him entering and calling out to his brother. He is then seen arguing with İsmihan K., who is heard saying, “Son, what are we going to do? He stabbed himself in the back.” This statement further contradicts the physical evidence of the wound’s location.
Adding to the tragic narrative, it was revealed that İsmihan K.’s husband, Doğukan K., whom she married in December 2024, died approximately six months ago. Doğukan K. reportedly died from electrocution after entering a transformer while evading a GBT (General Information Scan) check due to an outstanding prison sentence. İmrağ considered Doğukan K. a mentor figure and referred to İsmihan K. as “aunt.”
Community Reaction and Unanswered Questions
Neighbors expressed their shock and fear. Ebru Erkartal, a local resident, stated, “We just heard the girl screaming. As soon as the boy entered the house, they immediately fought inside. His leg was cut from here. They say he died. And we don’t know those people at all. The girl was screaming, ‘Ümit, why did you do it?’ She was screaming. We woke up after hearing the noises. We heard that the boy had died there. This incident happened after the fight, but they weren’t living together normally. It means the boy was entering and leaving their house. They probably loved each other, according to what we heard.”
Another building resident confessed, “We really heard it, but we were afraid to go downstairs. Ambulances came, police came. They shouted that his leg was bleeding. They said call the police. They stabbed the boy in the leg with a knife. They just came here. They didn’t stay long. Her husband died a long time ago.”
The case continues to unfold, leaving many questions unanswered:
- What was the true nature of the relationship between Ümit İmrağ and İsmihan K.?
- What was the motive behind the fatal stabbing?
- Why did İsmihan K. initially claim self-inflicted injury, and what led to her contradictory statements?
- How will İsmihan K.’s previous criminal record and alarming social media post impact the ongoing legal proceedings?
The Beyoğlu community awaits further developments in this complex and tragic case as authorities work to piece together the full truth behind Ümit İmrağ’s untimely death.
Source: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/istanbul/beyoglu/istanbul-beyoglunda-bacagindan-bicaklanarak-ol-43092402
