Family of British Holidaymaker Fear Flawed Turkish Investigation Will Deny Answers
The family of a 20-year-old British holidaymaker discovered deceased at the base of a lift shaft within his Turkish resort hotel express profound concerns that they may never obtain comprehensive answers regarding the tragic incident. This apprehension stems from what they describe as a significantly flawed police investigation conducted by Turkish authorities, as revealed during a recent pre-inquest hearing at Essex Coroner's Court.
Details of the Tragic Incident in Antalya
Tyler Kerry, a furniture fitter from Pitsea in Essex, was found dressed only in his socks and boxer shorts when he was declared dead at the all-inclusive Trendy Lara Hotel in Kundu, near Antalya. The discovery occurred in the early hours of November 29, 2024. His grandparents, Ray and Collette Kerry, who raised him and were holidaying with him, hold suspicions that he may have been murdered. However, Turkish officials have ruled that there was no evidence of third-party involvement in his untimely death.
Legal Challenges and Procedural Delays
Essex area coroner Michelle Brown confirmed during the hearing that Turkish legal representatives acting on behalf of Tyler's family are actively challenging this ruling. Their objective is to compel a fresh investigation in pursuit of any potential evidence indicating foul play. The appeal has been lodged on the explicit grounds of a flawed initial investigation.
Danielle Belton, a close family friend of the grandparents, informed the court that this matter is now slated for consideration by the Constitutional Court of Turkey, the nation's supreme judicial body. However, she indicated that a hearing is unlikely to be scheduled for approximately eighteen months, leading to significant delays in the quest for clarity.
A full inquest into Tyler's death, originally scheduled for the recent hearing, was postponed. This adjournment was necessitated by claims that certain crucial legal documents pertaining to the case had not been furnished by the Turkish authorities, further complicating the proceedings.
Unanswered Questions and Suspicious Circumstances
Speaking outside the court following the hearing, Ms Belton articulated the family's resigned yet determined stance. "We recognise that we are never going to get all the answers because we recognise we are dealing with the Turkish system that doesn't compare with ours," she stated. "We want to continue trying to get to the bottom of what happened. The Turkish authorities concluded there was no third party involvement but there was missing information which was grounds for appeal."
The family's suspicions were amplified by several disturbing details revealed after Tyler's death. Most of the clothing he had been wearing was discovered away from his body, positioned next to his mobile phone and a bloodstained vape device. Furthermore, it emerged that another young guest at the same hotel had reportedly been assaulted by security personnel in the hotel's basement, raising additional concerns about the safety and oversight at the resort.
Investigation Shortcomings and Evidential Issues
Coroner Michelle Brown disclosed that a Turkish judge had subsequently ordered an investigation into how Tyler Kerry gained access to the restricted lift shaft area. This probe was intended to examine evidence from Tyler's mobile phone, review hotel CCTV footage, and analyse DNA recovered from beneath his fingernails.
However, Ms Brown noted she had only been informed of findings indicating that the majority of the recovered DNA belonged to Tyler himself. She also highlighted critical shortcomings in the initial evidence gathering, revealing that personal items belonging to Tyler were not properly seized by Turkish police at the scene. This failure risked potential contamination, rendering those items useless as potential evidence in any subsequent investigation.
Complex Jurisdictional and Medical Challenges
The coroner explained that the case is further complicated by the absence of reciprocal legal arrangements between the United Kingdom and Turkey. Tyler's body was initially returned to the jurisdiction of the East London coroner, despite his Essex residence. A post-mortem examination conducted by a pathologist for the East London coroner immediately revealed that an autopsy had already been performed in Turkey.
This UK pathologist determined the cause of death as multiple injuries consistent with blunt force trauma. However, crucial toxicology tests could not be performed because Tyler's body had already been embalmed. Ms Brown later received toxicology results from Turkey, conducted prior to embalming, which showed an alcohol level of 152mg per 100ml of blood—nearly double the UK's drink-drive limit of 80mg.
Both UK pathologists involved found no indication of third-party involvement. The family commissioned their own independent examination, which concluded the cause of death was a traumatic head injury resulting from a fall from height.
Path Forward and Family's Hopes
Ms Brown adjourned the hearing, scheduling a potential full inquest for March 11, emphasising her legal obligation to proceed as promptly as possible. Tyler's grandparents, aged 63 and 57, attended the hearing alongside Ms Belton, listening as the circumstances were outlined.
Following the hearing, Mrs Kerry expressed her perspective: "I am looking forward to the full inquest and getting a conclusion about what actually did happen." The family had been represented by lawyer Michael Polak of Justice Abroad, though he has since stated he is not acting for them in the UK inquest proceedings.
Tyler's funeral took place in January of the previous year. In a heartfelt tribute following his death, his girlfriend, Molly Underdown, posted on Facebook, describing him as "the most caring, loving, funny boy I have ever met." The family continues their pursuit of justice and answers amidst a complex international legal landscape.
