UK Inquest Stalls Over Turkish Death of Tyler Kerry

An inquest into the death of Tyler Kerry, 20, who was found dead in a lift shaft at the Trendy Lara Hotel in Antalya, Turkey, was halted due to dramatic scenes. His mother, Rachel Kerry, was ejected after arguing with the coroner, insisting that British police should investigate her son's death, which occurred in November 2024. The family believes Tyler was murdered, but Turkish police quickly concluded that no other individuals were involved.

The coroner explained that the inquest was not a criminal court and highlighted the challenges of obtaining information from Turkey due to a lack of reciprocal arrangements. Tyler, a furniture fitter from Essex, was on his first holiday abroad with family members, including his grandparents and girlfriend. His body was discovered in the lift shaft, and his belongings were found scattered around the hotel.

The inquest heard that Tyler arrived at the hotel on November 28, 2024. The following morning, he was found unresponsive in the lift shaft. Turkish authorities suggested he might have opened a window in the lift shaft and jumped, but the family disputes this, citing his lack of suicidal ideation and the difficulty of climbing out of the small gap. Toxicology tests indicated Tyler had consumed alcohol.

A UK pathologist's findings suggested death resulted from multiple injuries and blunt force trauma, with nothing to indicate third-party involvement. Despite the family's efforts, including an appeal to Turkey's constitutional court and a further post-mortem examination, new evidence has not emerged. The coroner concluded that she could not definitively state whether the death was an accident and acknowledged the family's unanswered questions.