MasterChef winner Eren Kaşıkçı has been found dead at just 37 years old after loved ones raised the alarm when they couldn’t reach him.
The popular TV chef was discovered in the bedroom of his Istanbul home by his business partner, who had been asked to check on him on Wednesday afternoon. Paramedics rushed to the property but tragically confirmed he had died at the scene.
His body has now been taken for an autopsy, and prosecutors have launched an investigation into the celebrity cook’s shock death, The Mirror reports.
View 2 ImagesEren was known by his nickname Kızıl Sakal, meaning Red Beard(Image: Jam Press)
His business partner Mikail Malkoçoğlu told local media that initial assessments at the victim’s home in Istanbul pointed to a “strong possibility” of a heart attack.
Much-loved Eren was crowned MasterChef Türkiye champion in 2021, amassing 740,000 followers on Instagram following his success. He also returned to Turkish screens to take part in the show’s All Star series.
Also known as Kızıl Sakal, his nickname which translates to Red Beard, Eren opened his own restaurant Kızıl Sakal Sandwich & Burger in Istanbul following his victory and had been preparing to expand with a new branch.
Mr Kaşıkçı studied tourism before training professionally as a chef, working in several Istanbul hotels and later serving as head chef at a hotel on the Aegean island of Gökçeada. He leaves behind his wife and their young daughter, Maya.
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A funeral ceremony is scheduled to take place at Yenidoğan Cemevi, followed by burial in his family’s home province of Tokat. Prosecutors continue to investigate the circumstances of his sudden death.
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