A beautiful woman preparing to start a new life as a ship captain after filing for divorce was shot dead by her estranged husband after he commented on her social media post about the number of femicides to add 'one more'.
The killing of blonde Sinem Somuncu, 28, took place in Trabzon, Turkey, on the night between 31st July and 1st August.
She had recently graduated from Mersin University’s Department of Shipping and was due to begin work aboard a ship in 10 days.
She was reportedly receiving threats from her husband Ali Eren Somuncu, 30, a local minibus driver who had a restraining order against him and whom she was divorcing.
According to police, the suspect climbed up the rear balcony of the first-floor flat before breaking in and opening fire.
Sinem was shot in the leg and back and collapsed as she tried to flee.
As Somuncu fled the scene on a motorcycle, he also shot at a neighbourhood guard named only as EE, striking him in the groin.
Residents reported hearing gunshots before emergency services arrived. Both victims were rushed to hospital where Sinem died despite efforts to save her.
The injured guard underwent surgery and was said to be in stable condition.
Police launched a search and reviewed hours of CCTV footage before locating the suspect in woodland near Sinop. He was found hiding in a tent with his motorcycle covered by a tarpaulin and different licence plates.
He had shaved his head, beard, and eyebrows in an apparent attempt to avoid recognition.
In his statement to police, Somuncu claimed he had been in a trance and had not intended to kill his wife, saying he only learned of her death after his arrest.
But six days before the killing, he had posted on social media: “Let it be a lesson. Ali Eren Somuncu never leaves anything unfinished...
"Those who think he remains silent should know that he is only biding his time... Revenge for Ali Eren cannot be rushed.”
Shortly before her death, Sinem had shared a post about femicide on her own social media, writing: "132 women died," to which the suspect later replied "133."
In a separate post she had written: "You don't kill animals, you don't burn forests, you don't harm women and children... Being human is that simple."
The Women’s Law Commission of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TUBAKKOM) said the state had failed to protect Sinem and called the murder a clear case of femicide.
They said it was not an isolated incident but the result of years of impunity, weak protective measures, and systemic failure.
They also reiterated calls for Turkey to return to the Istanbul Convention, which the government withdrew from in 2021.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)
NewsX-ShorDead-01.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Sinem Somuncu poses in undated photo. Ali Eren Somuncu killed her in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-02.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Sinem Somuncu and Ali Eren Somuncu pose in undated photo. He killed her in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-03.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Sinem Somuncu poses in undated photo. Ali Eren Somuncu killed her in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-04.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Sinem Somuncu poses in undated photo. Ali Eren Somuncu killed her in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-05.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Sinem Somuncu poses in undated photo. Ali Eren Somuncu killed her in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-06.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Ali Eren Somuncu poses in undated photo. He killed Sinem Somuncu in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-07.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Ali Eren Somuncu poses in undated photo. He killed Sinem Somuncu in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-08.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Ali Eren Somuncu poses in undated photo. He killed Sinem Somuncu in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-09.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Sinem Somuncu poses in undated photo. Ali Eren Somuncu killed her in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-10.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Sinem Somuncu poses in undated photo. Ali Eren Somuncu killed her in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-11.jpg Copyright: Newsflash/NX
Description: Sinem Somuncu poses in undated photo. Ali Eren Somuncu killed her in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-12.jpg Copyright: @TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX
Description: Police arrest Ali Eren Somuncu, in Sinop, Turkey, undated. He killed Sinem Somuncu in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-13.jpg Copyright: @TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX
Description: Police arrest Ali Eren Somuncu, in Sinop, Turkey, undated. He killed Sinem Somuncu in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-14.jpg Copyright: @TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX
Description: Police arrest Ali Eren Somuncu, in Sinop, Turkey, undated. He killed Sinem Somuncu in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-15.jpg Copyright: @TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX
Description: Picture shows Ali Eren Somuncu, undated. He killed Sinem Somuncu in Trabzon, Turkey. Note: Licensed photo. (@TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-ShorDead-01.mp4 Video Copyright: @TC.icisleri/Newsflash/NX Video Caption: Caption: Police arrest Ali Eren Somuncu, in Sinop, Turkey, undated. He killed Sinem Somuncu in Trabzon, Turkey.***Video Licence Restrictions: NONE/UNLIMITED. This video is from our emergency services partner – for details of our ‘emergency services’ licence see https://newsx.agency/licences/ For details see https://newsx.agency/licences/ For terms visit: https://newsflash.media
