Man Arrested After Girlfriend Dies Following Cliffside Marriage Proposal

A Turkish man has been arrested several months after his girlfriend died following an allegedly ill-fated marriage proposal, The New York Post reported. 

Nizamettin Gursu took his partner, Yesim Demir, to a scenic cliff in Canakkale, northwestern Turkey on July 6 to pop the question. Gursu reported that immediately after Demir allegedly accepted his proposal, he went to their car to retrieve celebratory beverages. He heard a frantic scream from Demir, and upon returning found she’d fallen over the edge of the cliff. Authorities now believe she was murdered.

After Demir dropped 104 feet to the bottom of the crevice, Gursu called paramedics, who arrived and attempted to resuscitate the 39-year-old graphic designer for 45 minutes before she succumbed to her injuries. At the time, Gursu insisted that what occurred was a tragic accident. He even gave interviews to local media outlets reiterating his version of events, The Post reported in July.

“We chose it to have a romantic memory after the proposal,” he recounted at the time. “We drank some alcohol. Everything happened at once. She lost her balance and fell down.”

Police found Gursu’s version of events didn’t match evidence at the scene. Glass shards and a shattered boombox on the cliffside indicated a struggle had taken place. Additionally, investigators alleged that Demir’s supposed engagement ring was found not on her finger, but rather in its box in Gursu’s pocket.

More damning were statements given by Demir’s family. They allegedly told police that Demir was determined to end her relationship with Gursu, and never would have accepted his marriage proposal. Too, they said, she suffered debilitating panic attacks and wouldn't willingly straddle the cliff’s edge.

Gursu was eventually arrested after Demir’s family lodged a criminal complaint against him. He’s currently being held in custody on a charge of deliberate homicide, pending a court appearance.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more information.