Man with Dementia Missing for 14 Days in Sultangazi, Istanbul; Search Efforts Continue
Istanbul, June 14 – Ihsan Çakır, a 74-year-old man diagnosed with dementia, has been missing for 14 days since he left his home in Sultangazi on the morning of June 1. Despite extensive search efforts by his family and police, there has been no trace of Çakır. His family has expressed deep distress and appealed to the public for any information.
Desperate Search for Ihsan Çakır
The incident occurred on June 1, 2026, around 05:20 AM, in the İsmetpaşa neighborhood of Sultangazi. Ihsan Çakır, who suffers from dementia, left his home and has not been seen or heard from since. His family immediately initiated a search in the vicinity and subsequently filed a missing person report with the police. Çakır was last seen on June 1 at Zeytinburnu Beach, and search operations have been ongoing for the past 14 days.
Hasan Çakır, Ihsan Çakır’s son, described his father’s condition: “He is 74 years old and left home around 05:20 AM on June 1. We haven’t been able to contact him since. He has dementia and sometimes doesn’t even know where he is. We have been searching with the police since June 1, but we haven’t found him in any hospitals or other places. We filed a missing person report within 3-4 hours.”
Details of His Disappearance
According to Hasan Çakır, his father was carrying only his ID and a small amount of cash. He was likely wearing a plaid, dark blue shirt and fabric trousers. He does not wear glasses or a hat, and he has a noticeable limp. “My father used to say, ‘I will go to my village, Siirt Kurtalan.’ This was sometimes due to his Alzheimer’s. We have contacted my uncles in the village and the police there, but he is not there either,” Hasan Çakır stated.
The last confirmed sightings of Ihsan Çakır were at 10:30 AM in Merter on June 1, and then at 1:00 PM on Zeytinburnu Beach, where he was captured on camera footage. Hasan Çakır also mentioned his father’s previous statements about going to his deceased mother’s side, which he attributes to his dementia. “My grandmother passed away 30 years ago, and my mother 10 years ago. He would sometimes say he was going to his mother’s village,” he added.
Dementia Diagnosis and Previous Incidents
Ihsan Çakır was diagnosed with dementia approximately 11-12 years ago, with a 35% severity rating. His family suspects he also suffers from Alzheimer’s due to his speech patterns and occasional confusion about his mother’s passing. Three years ago, on a holiday, he left home with the intention of going to his village, became unwell, and fainted. Citizens found him and took him to the hospital, from where the family was informed.
Hasan Çakır made a heartfelt appeal to the public: “We are searching everywhere. We have checked hospitals with the police. We have contacted every place the police can reach, but unfortunately, we have not received any information yet. The search began in Sultangazi, then extended to Zeytinburnu, Merter, Fatih, and Küçükköy.”
Family’s Plea and Urgency
“For 14 days, we haven’t been able to enjoy any food or life. We don’t know what to do. There is nothing we can do. We are asking everyone we know and don’t know for help. We are also asking people for camera footage. All we want is for our father to be found as soon as possible, safe and sound, and to get information about his whereabouts,” Hasan Çakır pleaded.
He emphasized the critical nature of time due to his father’s health condition. “Because my father has a health condition and does not communicate much with people, we have no information about whether he is hungry, full, or thirsty. Every passing moment, every minute, is very valuable and critical for us. Please, if anyone sees or hears anything, contact us and the law enforcement officials.”
The family hopes for a swift resolution, envisioning a return to their happy and peaceful home with their father. The police continue their investigations and search operations in the Istanbul area.
Source: DHA (Doğan News Agency)
