A peaceful neighborhood in Ankara, Turkey was rocked on June 11, 2024, when a brutal murder-suicide occurred. David Thomas Blyth, a 53-year-old British oil magnate, fatally shot his wife, Victoria Vera Blyth, before ending his own life. The violent act was reportedly triggered by an argument concerning text messages discovered on Victoria’s phone.
The couple’s three offspring, aged four, 10, and 14, were at home during the incident but escaped physical harm. They have since been entrusted to the care of Victoria’s family, who arrived in Turkey shortly after the distressing event. Alexandra, Victoria’s sibling, posted a touching message on Instagram, announcing the family’s profound grief: “It is with deep sadness and pain that I have to announce that my beloved and beautiful sister, the sunshine of our lives who brought us so much joy, with her laughter, positive spirit, drive, and energy, has left us forever.”
Victoria, aged 40, was recognized for her lively persona and her duties as a host on Europe 2’s Morning Show alongside Czech broadcaster Leoš Mareš. Born in South Africa, she relocated to the Czech Republic with her family in her youth, where she gained popularity after releasing her first album in 2004. Her wide-ranging career featured commendable charity work with organizations like Velvet Smile, which provides support for families of ill and disabled children and victims of domestic abuse.
Her spouse, David Blyth, the proprietor of the global company ASG Inspection, enjoyed a prosperous career in the oil sector. The Blyths resided in Prague for several years early in their marriage before relocating to Turkey in 2019 for David’s professional pursuits.
Acquaintances of the couple disclosed that their marriage was marred by jealousy and unfaithfulness. A close friend revealed that Victoria had intended to leave David and return to the Czech Republic. She had shared her intentions with friends via text messages, which were found by David, igniting the lethal confrontation.
In her last interview, Victoria made a remark about the unpredictability of the future, saying, “You never know what can happen.” Despite her hopeful outlook on future ventures, she acknowledged life’s unforeseeable nature.
Victoria’s philanthropic endeavors included the establishment of DazSpor, an organization that arranged running races across Turkey, including the inaugural half-marathon in Ankara. DazSpor expressed their sorrow on social media, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our founder, Victoria Blyth. Her dedication and passion for improving the lives of others will be sorely missed.”
Both the UK Foreign Office and the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths and offered consular assistance to the family. A representative for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office stated, “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Turkey and have been in contact with the local authorities.”
As the investigation progresses, the primary concern is to provide support for the couple’s three children, who are now parentless. Victoria’s sister Alexandra’s poignant plea for privacy underscores the family’s need for time to mend: “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.”
