On June 11, 2024, a tranquil neighborhood in Ankara, Turkey, was shaken by a horrific incident. David Thomas Blyth, a 53-year-old British oil tycoon, shot and killed his wife, Victoria Vera Blyth, before taking his own life. The murder-suicide reportedly stemmed from a heated argument over text messages found on Victoria’s phone.
The couple’s three children, aged four, ten, and 14, were unharmed in the house during the incident. They have since been placed in the care of Victoria’s family, who traveled to Turkey immediately following the tragedy. Alexandra, Victoria’s sister, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing the family’s deep sorrow: “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, 40, was known for her vibrant personality and role as a presenter on Europe 2’s Morning Show alongside Czech broadcaster Leoš Mareš. Born in South Africa, she moved to the Czech Republic with her family as a young woman, where she rose to fame after releasing her debut album in 2004. Her multifaceted career included significant charity work with organizations like Velvet Smile, which supports families of sick and disabled children and victims of domestic abuse.
Her husband, David Blyth, owner of the international firm ASG Inspection, had a successful career in the oil industry. The Blyths had lived in Prague for a few years early in their marriage but moved to Turkey in 2019 for David’s business.
Friends of the couple revealed that their marriage had been strained by jealousy and infidelities. According to a close friend, Victoria had been planning to leave David and return to the Czech Republic. She had confided in friends about her plans via text messages, which David discovered, leading to the fatal confrontation.
In her final interview, Victoria hinted at uncertainty about the future, saying, “You never know what can happen.” Despite her optimistic outlook on future projects, she acknowledged the unpredictable nature of life. Her words now seem eerily prophetic in light of the recent events.
Victoria’s charity work involved founding DazSpor, an organization that organized running races across Turkey, including Ankara’s first-ever half-marathon. DazSpor expressed their grief 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.”
The Turkish police have continued to investigate the incident, but details remain scarce. Both the UK Foreign Office and the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths and provided consular assistance to the family. A spokesperson 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 continues, the focus remains on supporting the couple’s three children, now left orphaned. Victoria’s sister Alexandra’s poignant request for privacy highlights the family’s need for time to heal: “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.”
