Kırşehir Chief Prosecutor's Office Finds Bones of Rıza Güzel in 20-Year Missing Persons Investigation; Two Sons Arrested

In an investigation conducted by the Kırşehir Chief Prosecutor's Office and coordinated by the Justice Ministry's Department for Investigation of Unsolved Crimes, bones believed to belong to Rıza Güzel, who went missing approximately 20 years ago, were discovered. The Gendarmerie Crime Investigation Team (JASAT) operating under the Provincial Gendarmerie Command reached this finding following approximately four months of fieldwork.

As part of the investigation, communication interception and recording orders were applied for three months against family members and other suspects. Witness statements were taken from a total of 11 people living in four separate provinces, surrounding districts, and villages; hospital records of Güzel from different provinces were reviewed, intercity bus terminals and routes were checked, and satellite and aerial photographs from the relevant dates were requested.

Investigation findings revealed that Güzel did not leave the village during the period when he went missing. Following determinations that he engaged in unlicensed taxi driving, regularly consumed alcohol, and that frequent disputes occurred within the family, the investigation focused on the family. Contradictions in the statements of family members and their indifferent approach to the case strengthened suspicion; ultimately, following confessions by some family members, two sons were arrested on suspicion of intentional homicide.

It is known that similar unsolved village murder cases in Kırşehir previously resulted in dismissals for years; this investigation carries the distinction of being one of the first long-term "cold case" operations conducted under Ministry coordination.