The family of Serdar Caliskan, a 50-year-old man fatally stabbed by his wife Ilknur, 47, while she was sleepwalking, is expressing outrage after the Victoria’s Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) dismissed the murder charge due to her sleep disorder. The tragic incident occurred during a camping trip in September 2023, when Ilknur stabbed her husband in the heart after allegedly sleepwalking from their tent.
Since the loss of Mr Caliskan, his family has reported feeling “in hell” and believes the justice system has failed them. They were not informed about the decision to drop the murder charge, leaving them feeling ignored and disconnected from the legal process. Ceren Gover, Mr Caliskan’s niece, stated that they felt let down by the OPP, while his brother Muzaffer echoed similar sentiments, expressing frustration over the lack of communication from authorities.
The family resides in Turkey, and they were particularly dismayed by their exclusion from crucial updates regarding the case. They highlight that throughout the couple’s 26-year marriage, Ilknur’s sleep disorder had never been mentioned to them. This revelation has angered them further, raising concerns about the safety of the community and Ilknur’s children, who still live with her.
The OPP noted that the decision to discontinue the murder charge was not made lightly, emphasising they had thoroughly reviewed expert opinions. They concluded that the criteria for establishing murder could not be met beyond a reasonable doubt due to the circumstances around her sleepwalking.
In light of the incident, the family is advocating for stricter regulations on individuals like Ilknur who are released from legal repercussions, stressing the potential risks to the wider community. Their calls for justice highlight the complexities of the situation, mixing grief, shock, and a desire for accountability in the wake of their loss.