What we know after body of mom who died while on vacation is returned 'with heart missing'
Here's everything we know about a British mother who died after arriving in Turkey for a family vacation, and her body was allegedly returned with her heart 'missing'.
Just four weeks ago today, the Martin family jetted off on a family vacation that turned into a nightmare.
After reportedly feeling ill on the journey to Turkey, Beth Martin, 28, passed away the day after landing, leaving behind her husband, Luke, and their two children.
Her body was returned to the UK, where an autopsy concluded that her heart was 'missing', as her family alleged that the hospital had 'taken' it, as they hope to receive answers about the incident.
Who was Beth Martin?
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Beth was from Portsmouth in the UK, and was married to Luke, with whom she had two young children with.
On Sunday, (April 27), the family flew out to Istanbul, Turkey for what was meant to be a 'proper getaway', however, Beth began to feel ill on the day of their flight.
What happened in Turkey?
While travelling, Beth began feeling unwell, a GoFundMe page for the family says, and she managed to get 'little sleep' the night of their arrival.
The next day, however, she was 'delirious' and Luke reportedly struggled to get medical attention for her due to the language barrier, though he eventually managed to arrange an ambulance for her.
The ambulance then arrived to take her to hospital, while Luke and their two children followed behind in a taxi.
The family claim Beth was 'not herself and scared', but according to the page, Luke 'had no choice but to trust the doctors that they knew what they were doing and that they would take care of her'.
However, the page further claims that it would be the last time Luke and their children ever saw Beth alive. During the night on Monday (April 28), Beth's condition worsened and she was moved into intensive care.
The GoFundMe further claims that Luke was 'banned' from seeing her and was kept in the dark, receiving no calls or updates, 'just silence.'
Luke and Beth's moms flew out to see the family after Luke called them, and travelled straight from the airport to the hospital in a 'frantic' search on Tuesday (April 29) before learning that she had been transferred again during the night.
They were reportedly told she was moved due to 'concerns with her heart,' and eventually found her room but were 'restricted access' for hours, the GoFundMe claims.
Meanwhile, Luke was reportedly being interrogated by cops at the hotel with 'no translator' other than hotel staff, allegedly accused of having poisoned his wife.
What happened after Beth Martin's death?
During Luke's questioning, he claims he was made to sign a document that he later translated that stated Beth had 'died at around 9am'.
He then allegedly received a phone call from the hospital confirming Beth's death. Following another police interview, the page says that Luke was 'cleared' of the poison accusation, with 'no further action' being taken.
After having previously been 'banned' from seeing her, Luke was reportedly allowed to see her body in the morgue for one minute, where he was instructed to carry her body 'through a hospital'.
What were the results of Beth's autopsy?
The insurance company allegedly said it could bring Beth's body home but could take weeks, so Luke forked out thousands to have her body flown home himself, the GoFundMe page claimed.
The children and the rest of the family came back to the UK on Sunday (May 4) while Luke flew home beside his wife on Tuesday (May 6).
Her body was then examined by British coroners, where they claimed that her heart was 'missing'. The fundraiser alleges that the Turkish hospital had 'removed' the heart with 'no explanation, no consent', claiming: "They have invaded her body and they have TAKEN her heart.
"Her heart. The piece of Beth that was more treasured more than any other. The piece of her that stopped for a moment when she heard her children's first words. The piece of her that skipped a beat when she said 'I do' at her wedding. The piece of her that pumped viscously with pride whenever she was with her family."
What have the Turkish authorities said?
The Turkish Ministry of Health claims Beth died of a 'cardiac arrest due to multiple organ failures,' according to The Daily Mail.
"The patient was recorded in the hospital records as a 'forensic case' in line with the statement of Martin's wife that they may have been poisoned by a meal they ate in their country before the trip, and the initial findings," the statement read.
"A preliminary autopsy [without incision] was performed at the hospital in accordance with the forensic case procedure and his wife's request in this regard.
"The exact cause of Martin's death could not be determined with the current findings in the preliminary autopsy, which was carried out with the participation of the Public Prosecutor and the forensic medicine doctor.
"Beth Martin did not undergo any surgical procedures during her treatment at the hospital, and there was no question of any organs being removed."
According to the outlet, the hospital is currently under investigation for alleged medical negligence surrounding Beth's death.
Meanwhile, English coroners could take up to six months to determine what caused her organs to fail, as per The New York post.
UNILAD has contacted the Turkish Ministry of Health for further comment.
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