A Wisconsin man allegedly lived with his girlfriend's dead body for weeks before reporting her death—only coming forward because his rental company was set to inspect the apartment.
On February 27, Serkan Akcilad, a 24-year-old Turkish national, walked into the Milwaukee Police Administration Building and told officers his girlfriend had been dead in their apartment for 20 days, Fox 6 Now reported.
Officers later discovered the 21-year-old victim's decomposing body, which showed signs of staging and had been stabbed 12 times. Akcilad, who has asylum status in the U.S., was charged with first-degree reckless homicide.
Investigators found evidence suggesting Akcilad continued to live in the apartment after the victim's death, with food receipts dated from February 14 to 21 and attempts to clean up bloodstains.
Surveillance footage showed him buying bleach, insect repellent, and other cleaning supplies on January 24—the night she is believed to have been killed. Akcilad told police he initially thought his girlfriend was playing a prank, then claimed he passed out from shock.
He also said he attempted suicide using a nail gun, which resulted in a nail lodged in his brain. Despite this, investigators found evidence contradicting his claims, including missing knives and blood in the washing machine.
Akcilad admitted to communicating with the victim's family in Turkey, pretending to be her to convince them she was still alive. He stated he only reported her death because his property management company was about to check his apartment.
He denied killing her, but authorities say the evidence strongly suggests otherwise. Akcilad's bail was set at $1 million, and he faces life in prison if convicted.
