Ece İrtem Dies at 35; Funeral Held as Autopsy and Police Probe Continue

Overview

• Ece İrtem, who turned 35 on June 14, was found dead in her Istanbul apartment on Monday, June 15, and early reports said authorities suspected a heart attack.
• Istanbul police opened an active investigation and have not released a final forensic report, with the family waiting for the autopsy before burial.
• The funeral took place on Wednesday, June 17, in Kuşadası and drew many fans and colleagues; the ceremony was emotional as her father carried the coffin and her mother became unwell.
• Turkish press including Milliyet has reported investigators are also considering a possible interaction of alcohol and antidepressant medication as a working hypothesis, but that idea remains unconfirmed.
• Record TV issued condolences noting Brazilian viewers knew İrtem from the novela Coração de mãe, and the case has prompted wider public conversation about heart risk in younger adults and the value of medical review when symptoms appear.