Killer likely fled country, fake ID may have helped

Speculation has abounded since the murder that the wealthy and well-connected young Garipoğlu -- the son and nephew of influential businessmen -- fled the country after the murder, possibly to Russia. In early May, an Interpol red notice, which signifies that the person is wanted for arrest and extradition, was posted for Garipoğlu, followed by Interpol blue notices, which signify that a person is wanted for information they may be able to provide pursuant to a criminal investigation, later that month for his mother, sister and brother, who all live in Russia.

News reports over the weekend revealed that among the evidence collected by police in their crime scene investigation of the Bahçeşehir villa where the Garipoğlu family lived and the murder was allegedly committed was a fake identification card bearing Cem Garipoğlu's name but a fake birth date.

Garipoğlu was born Oct. 20, 1991, but the fake ID police found had his birth date listed as Jan. 29, 1990. The ID was sent to the criminal lab for processing, where it was determined to be a well-made fake, “the work of a professional,” according to news reports. The quality of the fake identification has increased speculation over whether Garipoğlu may have fled the country using another fake ID, therefore escaping the notice of border security, which was on alert for his arrival only hours after the murder was committed.