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Three men charged with murdering DJ Koray Alphergin ‘bundled him into van’ and ‘dumped his body’

Three masked ‘killers’ including teenage boy, 17, ‘bundled ‘popular’ Turkish radio DJ into a van, brutally murdered him then dumped his body in woodland’

  • Court hears three men allegedly bundled radio DJ into van during kidnapping 
  • Trio are accused of murdering Koray Alpergin and dumping his body in woods
  • Each of the men – the youngest only 17 – have been remanded in custody for trial
  • Prosecutor said his ‘body was naked and had sustained burns, bruises and cuts’ 

Three masked killers bundled a radio DJ into a van, brutally murdered him and dumped his body in woodland, a court heard.

Ali Kavak, 25, Erdogan Ulcay, 55, and a teenage boy aged 17 are accused of murdering Koray Alpergin, 43, earlier this month.

The ‘burned and bruised’ body of Mr Alpergin, the owner of Turkish radio station Bizim FM, was found in a wooded area near the Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate in Loughton, Essex on October 15.

Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn told the court on Tuesday Mr Alpergin and his friend Gozde Dalbudak were on their way back to the former’s home in Enfield when the alleged incident took place. 

Mr Alpergin’s ‘burned and bruised’ body was found in a wooded area near the Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate in Loughton, Essex on October 15

‘They were attacked by individuals wearing white masks and bundled into a van and taken to a location and held there against their will,’ Mr Hearn said.

The court heard Mr Alpergin’s body was ‘badly beaten’ before he was ‘murdered’.

‘On Saturday 15 October, two days later, Mr Alpergin’s body was found by members of the public in a woodland area in Loughton, Essex.

‘The body was naked and had sustained burns, bruises and cuts. A preliminary report concluded strangulation, blunt forced trauma and damage to the internal organs and ribs.’

Kavak of Tottenham, Ulcay of Highgate, and the 17-year-old, of north London, appeared at the Old Bailey via prison video-links charged with murder.

The 17-year-old and Ulcay are also charged with kidnapping Ms Dalbudak, 33, two days earlier.

Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn told the court on Tuesday Mr Alpergin and his friend Gozde Dalbudak were on their way back to the former’s home in Enfield when the alleged incident took place

They were all remanded in custody ahead of their next plea and trial preparation hearing on 6 January, with the provisional trial set for September 18, 2023.

Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command continue to support Mr Alpergin’s family.

Mr Alpergin had shared photos of his Instagram globetrotting, meeting with famous singers, including American rapper 50 Cent, Spice Girl Mel B, rapper P Diddy and internet sensation ‘Salt Bae’.

He also posted photos of his family, particularly of his son Deniz and daughter Zara.

Following his death, Mr Alpergin’s son paid tribute to his late father, writing online: ‘You was the best father anyone could wish for.

‘You taught me so many great lessons in life and I’m so grateful.’

A GoFundMe page, launched by Mr Alpergin’s family and friends, reads: ‘Koray was loved by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. A much-loved member of his family, a special friend to all and a huge member of the community with the biggest heart.

‘Koray always thought of everyone, he was kind and caring and always supported those around him. He was such a light in the community, loved by his family, treasured by his friends and he lived his life to the fullest.’

Police were called to Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate in Loughton, Essex, on October 15 after Mr Alpergin’s body was found in nearby woodland