On 11th June 2024, a peaceful neighborhood in Ankara, Turkey, was rocked by a tragic event. A British oil magnate, David Thomas Blyth, 53, fatally shot his wife, Victoria Vera Blyth, before ending his own life. The murder-suicide reportedly originated from a dispute over text messages found on Victoria’s phone.
The couple’s three children, aged four, 10, and 14, were present but unharmed during the incident. They are now in the custody of Victoria’s family who traveled to Turkey immediately after the tragedy. Alexandra, Victoria’s sister, shared a sorrowful message on Instagram about the loss of her sister.
Victoria, 40, was a renowned presenter on Europe 2’s Morning Show and was recognized for her dynamic personality. She was born in South Africa but moved to the Czech Republic, where she became famous after releasing her debut album in 2004. Her diverse career also encompassed significant charity work with organizations like Velvet Smile, aiding families of sick and disabled children, as well as victims of domestic abuse.
David Blyth, Victoria’s husband, was the proprietor of the international company ASG Inspection and had a prosperous career in the oil industry. The Blyths relocated to Turkey in 2019 for David’s business, after residing in Prague early in their marriage.
Friends of the couple indicated that their marriage was marred by jealousy and infidelity. A close friend stated that Victoria had intentions to leave David and return to the Czech Republic. She shared her plans with her friends through text messages, which were discovered by David, leading to the fatal altercation.
In her last interview, Victoria expressed uncertainty about the future stating, “You never know what can happen.” Despite her positive outlook on future endeavors, she acknowledged the unpredictable nature of life, a sentiment that now appears prophetic.
Victoria also founded DazSpor, a charity that organized running races across Turkey, including Ankara’s first-ever half-marathon. DazSpor expressed their grief on social media, acknowledging the passing of their founder, Victoria Blyth.
Both the UK Foreign Office and the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths and are providing consular assistance to the family. A representative for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office stated they are supporting the family of the deceased British man in Turkey.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus is on supporting the orphaned children. Alexandra, Victoria’s sister, requested privacy for the family: “My family is experiencing an extremely challenging period as we have lost both parents. We just laid our father to rest, and now we are mourning our sister and brother-in-law. We require time to heal, but we prioritize being there for the children.”