The British Turkish community is in mourning today following the shocking news that Koray Alpergin, also known as DJ Koray or “Koray Bizim”, has died.
The well-known Turkish radio presenter, and founder of London Turkish stations Bizim FM and Kral FM, was found dead in suspicious circumstances on Saturday.
Alpergin, aged 43, and his Turkish girlfriend were abducted from outside the DJ’s home on Thursday evening after returning from a night out in Central London. The pair are believed to have been bundled into a van by a number of assailants.
After nearly 36 hours of no news, friends launched a missing persons campaign in a desperate bid to find out what had happened to the couple.
On Saturday evening, Essex Police announced that “a man’s body was found in woodland in Loughton”, and that they were treating the death as “suspicious.”
Police officers visited DJ Koray’s father Tuncay Alpergin, also known as Tuncay Beykozlu, on Saturday to update him on his son’s disappearance.
Close friends of the family have since confirmed to T-VINE that Koray Alpergin has been found dead and that he is believed to have been shot and killed.
Koray’s girlfriend, who is from Istanbul, is understood to have survived the incident and is currently helping police with their investigations.
The missing persons appeal poster friends circulated on Saturday
Tributes to DJ Koray
Many members of the community have taken to social media to pay tribute to the universally loved DJ and father of two.
One of DJ Koray’s closest friends, Mehmet Korkmaz, referred to him as, “My friend, my big brother, my confidant” Facebook, adding, “you are always in our hearts.”
DJ and actor Hass J Junior wrote, “My friend, my brother. Music and entertainment was how we met 20 years ago and our friendship started then. We shared many many good times together over the years and helped each other with situations others will never know about. I’m shocked and devastated that God has taken you from us so early. You will be missed for so many reasons, you was loved by so many for that character and true heart you carried. I’m gonna miss you. I love you man. Rest In Peace King 👑❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻”
“My beautiful brother, my school friend, I don’t want to believe [the news about] your death. Full of life, always smiling, you were the noblest of all gentlemen. May God have mercy on you, rest in peace Koraim,” wrote Ozzie Da Turk Cypriot on Koray’s personal Facebook page.
T-VINE has contacted the Metropolitan Police and Essex Police for official comment on the disappearance and death of DJ Koray. No response had been forthcoming at the time of publication.
This news report will be updated as we have more details.
