17 years of mystery: The Turkish professor's shocking truth of disappearance remains

The case was resolved just five months before the crime prescription deadline expired, when the Istanbul Police Department's Missing Persons Directorate, following the orders of Chief Salaam Yildiz, highlighted the old files of cases classified as unresolved for years.

Hikmet Akcay was reported missing on May 2nd 2006 by his brother Ismet, who said he had not heard from him for days and feared for his life.

Despite initial investigations at the time, the issue remained deadlocked, while a burned body found in the Silivri area was not identified and was eventually buried in an unknown cemetery broadcasts tch.

A modern review of the evidence changed everything, police traced the victim's contacts with Esin B., his student when she was in high school, with which he had maintained a close and problematic relationship for years.

Esin B., now 42, who works for the Istanbul City Sports Organisation, was found to have kept in touch with the professor even after he reached adulthood and entered the university.

She visited his home, received financial assistance, and they maintained frequent communication, which aroused doubts about authorities.

The telecommunication data showed that the day Akchay's mobile phone was disabled, on April 27, 2006, four people were moving into co-ordination: Esin B., chemistry professor Erdogan Y., her friend Zemci S. And a relative of Hakan D.

In a large-scale co-ordinated operation conducted on Teacher's Day on November 24th, special forces arrested four suspects in Istanbul and Gaziantep. They initially denied any involvement, but under the weight of evidence, their statements revealed a raw and thrilling truth.

According to Esin B's story, Hikmet Akchay was furious to learn that she had a relationship with the married professor of chemistry, Erdogan G.

As she claimed, Akchay threatened to reveal the relationship to her family and the professor's wife, which created an explosive atmosphere.

Tension peaked on the day of the crime, when they met in Kocael. After a heated debate, they went to her home, where another confrontation erupted.

She claimed that the professor tried to kill him and then, in panic, grabbed a knife and injured him to death.

Instead of informing the authorities, Esin B. She called her friend Zemchi S., who hurried home and together decided to destroy the body. Erdogan G., who played a crucial role in transporting him, was later announced.

The body was placed in a red suitcase and transported by car from Kocael to Silivri. In a rural area, he was sprayed with gasoline and set on fire, in a terrible attempt to eliminate all traces.

After the crime, the authors returned to their daily lives, discreting developments through telephone booths and avoiding any connection to the incident.

The burnt body was then found, but without identification, buried in an unknown tomb.

The old tapes found in the victim's house proved essential. With the help of modern technology, police amplified the audio and discovered conversations in which Akcay threatened Esin B., confirming the tense and blackmailing context of their relationship.

The four defendants were brought to justice and left in custody, while the case is expected to continue in court, shedding light on a crime covered by silence and time for years.

This case confirms that even when truth seems buried, it at some point turns to seek revenge. /Periscope/