Examination of heart of British tourist who died in Istanbul completed

By Irem Demir and Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Council of Forensic Medicine in Türkiye completed its examination of the heart of British citizen Beth Louise Eileen Martin, who passed away on April 29, two days after arriving in Türkiye and being hospitalized following a sudden illness.

According to the official report, there was no medical evidence indicating that Martin died as a result of a traumatic impact.

The findings suggest that her death likely resulted from food poisoning and the complications that followed.

The report also noted that a full examination of Martin’s heart was conducted, and no signs of trauma or life-threatening abnormalities were found in the skin, soft tissues, skeletal system, or internal organs.

Her heart’s blood vessels were found to be clear, and no evidence of acute or chronic heart damage was observed.

Given her young age and the absence of any clear cause of death, internationally accepted advanced forensic techniques were applied.

The entire heart, weighing 350 grams, heavier than expected for her body size, was preserved in a formalin solution for seven days to allow for detailed histopathological analysis.

The testing was aimed at identifying possible congenital anomalies, cellular-level heart muscle diseases, rhythm disorders, inflammation, or valve issues that could have contributed to her sudden death.

Samples from the examined heart and other organs will be handed over to a company designated by the British Consulate General in Istanbul.

Beth Louise Eileen Martin had sought medical treatment at Marmara University Hospital on April 28, reportedly after suspected food poisoning from a meal consumed before her trip to Türkiye.

She died the next day.

Her autopsy was conducted on April 30, and her remains were released to her husband, Luke Martin, on May 1.