Man arrested over murder of pregnant wife on Turkey cliffside

A pregnant woman’s last moments while on holiday have been captured on camera after her husband was charged with her murder.

These are the last pictures of pregnant woman Semra Aysal shortly before her husband, Hakan Aysal, is accused of pushing her off the cliff. Picture: Newsflash/Australscope

A husband posed for a smiling clifftop selfie with his pregnant wife just moments before he allegedly threw her to her death.

Hakan Aysal, 40, was arrested for the murder of his wife Semra Aysal, 32, and their unborn baby while on holiday in Butterfly Valley in Mugla, Turkey, in June 2018. He denies the charges, claiming she died after accidentally falling off the cliff.

Prosecutors allege Mr Aysal pushed his wife off the 305m cliff so that he could cash in on the insurance he had taken out on her life.

The seven-months pregnant woman and her unborn child were both instantly killed.

In the indictment prepared for the crime of “deliberate murder” against the husband, prosecutors stated he planned it in order to get the guarantee of $A73,000 insurance money.

Prosecutors claimed that the only reason they sat on top of the cliff for three hours was so that he could make sure no one was around.

As soon as he realised they were alone, prosecutors allege he deliberately killed her by pushing her off the cliff.

Semra Aysal, 32, and her unborn child died at Butterfly Valley in the Fethiye district of the southeastern Turkish city of Mugla. Picture: Newsflash/Australscope

The indictment also noted that Mr Aysal had claimed the insurance payment a short while later, but it was declined when news of the investigation was unveiled.

The Fethiye High Criminal Court has ruled that he be remanded in custody for premeditated murder.

In a video interview, the court heard from the victim’s brother, Naim Yolcu, who said:

“When we went to the Forensic Medicine Institute to get the body, Hakan was sitting in the car.

“My family and I were destroyed, but Hakan did not even appear sad.”

THE LAST SMILE

Mr Yolcu added: “My sister was always against taking out loans. However, after she died, we learned that she had three loans taken by Hakan on behalf of my sister.

“Also, Hakan had a fear of heights, what extreme sport is she going to be doing when she is scared of heights?”

Asked about the insurance policy, Mr Aysal said: “I have been interested in extreme sports since 2014; parachute, bungee jumping, rafting. That is why I had life insurance before I got married.”

Mr Aysal was also asked about the article in the accident personal insurance which stated that he was the heir if she died.

Mr Aysal said: “I did not examine the policy much. The banker arranged the paperwork.

“I just brought it to my wife to get it signed. I was not aware that there was such an article.”

He has denied being responsible for her death, saying: “After taking a photo, my wife put the phone in her bag.

“Later she asked me to give her the phone. I got up and then heard my wife scream behind me when I walked a few steps away to get the phone from her bag.

“When I turned back, she was not there. I did not push my wife.”

The investigation is ongoing.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission