GUILTY Turkey - Esther Parker Sengen, 39, brutally murdered, Bodrum, 6 April 2014

A Turkish man has confessed to the murder of his U.S. citizen wife, claiming she “provoked” him during an argument by saying she had an affair.

Economics researcher Esther Giovanna Parker S. was killed in her family villa in the popular resort of Bodrum in the southwestern Turkish province of Muğla four and a half months ago. Her husband, a hairdresser, Bora S., was arrested after the murder and confessed in his testimony in the Prosecutor’s Office...

The couple had married in a Bosphorus villa in Istanbul on June 21, 2012 before moving to Bodrum. The woman’s neck was broken after she was stabbed, according to the autopsy report.

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It's easy for a Westerner to come to Turkey and think it is a safe and wonderful place to visit; however, unless you really understand the language and culture and make deep friendships, you do not realize the hellish lives many women are living.

Turks are good at putting on a show. You can have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. Domestic violence has been at the heart of Turkish society for a long time...

The two murders raise two issues; those of the problem of domestic abuse in Turkey, and the complications you can experience in a cross-cultural marriage which involves different cultures and worldviews.

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A funeral for Parker was held in Washington, D.C., on April 27. Her parents, James and Joan Parker of Buckfield, returned to Turkey to fight for custody of their grandchild...

According to [a fundraising website], "Esther Parker, our witty, whip-smart, spirited, adventurous and loving friend was killed by her husband on April 6, 2014, in Bodrum, Turkey. Her parents are now in Turkey with the goal of bringing her young son home to the United States. Their claim to custody is currently being contested by his paternal grandparents. We don't know how difficult this road might be or how long it will take."

Buckley said the American consulate in Turkey has been involved in the custody dispute and that Esther's employer was also assisting the Parker family.

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