A 17-year-old boy has died after a violent confrontation involving reality TV personality João Franco and his brother in Bodrum, Turkey. The teenager, identified in local reports as Muhammet Koyabakan, suffered a serious head injury during the fight and died in the hospital two days later. Franco, 36, and his brother have since been arrested in connection with the incident.
The confrontation happened around 8 p.m. Saturday, November 7, at a business on Cumhuriyet Street in the Çarşı neighborhood of Bodrum, in Muğla Province. Turkish news agency Demirören and local media reported that Franco and his 34-year-old brother, Carlos Campbell Franco, were involved in an argument with people working at the business.
According to local reports, the brothers allegedly began using profanity while inside the establishment. The exchange quickly developed into an argument with the business operators, identified as Muhammet and another employee, 28. What started as a verbal disagreement eventually turned into a physical fight involving several people.
During the confrontation, Muhammet suffered a serious injury after falling and hitting his head against the hard ground. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment, but his condition remained critical. Despite medical attention, the teenager died on Monday, November 9, leaving the incident under investigation.
Turkish news agency DHA reported that four people were injured during the fight. Security camera footage reportedly captured the confrontation, helping investigators examine what happened and identify those involved. Police subsequently detained Franco, his brother and two other individuals.
The brothers were later formally arrested, while the other two suspects, identified as Y.A. and F.A., were released under judicial supervision. The authorities have not publicly specified the exact criminal charges against Franco and his brother.
During questioning, Franco reportedly denied wrongdoing and told investigators that he and his brother had been attacked. He maintained that they were the ones who came under attack during the confrontation. His brother, Carlos, also claimed he acted to protect himself. Carlos further maintained that his older brother did not strike Muhammet and suggested the teenager might have lost his balance and fallen.
Franco is familiar to American television audiences through his appearances on Bravo’s popular reality series “Below Deck.” He first appeared on “Below Deck Mediterranean” in 2018, working as a senior deckhand before taking on higher responsibilities in the yachting industry. He later appeared on “Below Deck Down Under” and also made an appearance on “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.”
The television personality has since built a career in the luxury yacht industry, where he has worked in several positions, including senior deckhand, bosun and second officer. Turkish reports identified him as a professional yacht captain at the time of the incident.
The case has attracted international attention because of Franco’s television background and the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. Bodrum, a popular resort destination on Turkey’s southwestern coast, is also well known for its luxury yachts, international visitors and busy waterfront.
For Muhammet’s family, however, the incident is no longer just another confrontation making headlines. A 17-year-old boy lost his life following a fight that began at a local business, and investigators are still working to establish exactly what happened.
Franco and his brother remain subject to the Turkish judicial process. Neither has been convicted, and the allegations against them have yet to be resolved in court.