Background
Kübra Yapıcı was a 30-year-old woman and mother of one, originally from the Ekinözü district of Kahramanmaraş, who lived in Serik, Antalya. When nothing was heard from her after 02:00 on the night of 30 April 2026, her father applied to the Serik Chief Public Prosecutor's Office the same day.
The family's persistence played a decisive role in how quickly the case advanced.
Yapıcı's disappearance renewed attention to the fact that Turkish law sets no waiting period for missing-person reports and that families should apply in the first hours. A report can start search operations within hours.
Yapıcı's disappearance renewed attention to the fact that Turkish law sets no waiting period for missing-person reports and that families should apply in the first hours. A report can start search operations within hours.
What happened
Security camera footage showed Yapıcı at a café in Antalya's Kepez district with two men around 03:30, leaving with them at 04:45. The family reviewed the footage on their own and helped lead investigators to the men's real identities; according to reports they had used different names at the venue.
The investigation concluded that Yapıcı was killed in a wooded area in Seydiköy village, in Burdur's Bucak district.
The timeline in the camera footage was the key information that led to the suspects in the first days of the investigation. After she left the café, her journey was followed through footage along the route and phone data. These showed the events spanned a route from Antalya to Burdur.
The timeline in the camera footage was the key information that led to the suspects in the first days of the investigation. After she left the café, her journey was followed through footage along the route and phone data. These showed the events spanned a route from Antalya to Burdur.
Investigation and legal process
Under coordination between the Manavgat, Serik and Burdur prosecutors' offices, two suspects were detained on 6 May 2026. Following a statement by one of them, a search at Korkuteli Dam found remains. DNA samples from her family matched, confirming the identity as Yapıcı.
The two suspects, reported to be 22 years old, were arrested on a charge of intentional killing of a woman. There is no final ruling in their trial, and the charges remain allegations until a court decides.
Yapıcı was buried in her hometown of Ekinözü.
Search work at the dam involved many agencies and teams. Throughout, the family appealed to the public and to officials so that their daughter could be found. After the identity was confirmed by DNA, a funeral was held and many people attended.
Search work at the dam involved many agencies and teams. Throughout, the family appealed to the public and to officials so that their daughter could be found. After the identity was confirmed by DNA, a funeral was held and many people attended.
Where it stands today
The case became one of those frequently cited in Turkey's debates on women's safety and on how quickly missing-person reports are acted upon. Dark Location presents this page in memory of Kübra Yapıcı and to underline the importance of prompt reporting.