A 38-year-old British man has died after falling ill at a hair transplant clinic in İstanbul, in a case that has prompted an official investigation by Turkish authorities, The Guardian reported over the weekend.
Martyn Latchman, a former assistant head teacher from Milton Keynes, had reportedly returned to the clinic for a second procedure at Dr. Cinik Clinic, a well-known private facility in İstanbul’s Beşiktaş district.
According to a statement from the clinic, Latchman began to feel unwell during the preparatory phase of the treatment, before the transplant had begun. He was taken to a nearby hospital and admitted to intensive care, where he died later that day.
“Prior to the second operation, all necessary medical evaluations and tests (including blood work, chest X-ray, ECG, etc) were carried out thoroughly and without omission,” the clinic said.
“These assessments were conducted under the supervision of an anaesthesiologist, and the patient was cleared for surgery. However, before the hair transplant procedure began and during the preparatory phase, the patient unexpectedly became unwell for reasons that are still unknown.”
Latchman had previously undergone a successful transplant at the same clinic in 2024, according to the statement.
Local media had initially reported that Latchman became ill during or after the hair transplant procedure on July 28, with some outlets stating that the session had lasted approximately five hours. However, the clinic strongly denied those reports, claiming the incident occurred before the operation began.
According to Turkish media reports, the provincial health directorate in İstanbul has launched an official investigation, and authorities have reportedly interviewed the clinic’s anesthesiologist, surgeon and owner. Latchman’s body was sent to Turkey’s Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK) for autopsy and later repatriated to the UK.
Latchman’s death adds to growing concerns about Turkey’s booming medical tourism industry, particularly in cosmetic procedures. According to the UK Foreign Office, at least six British nationals died in Turkey in 2024 after undergoing medical treatments, including cosmetic surgery.
The British government advises citizens to consult with their doctors beforehand and to verify the credentials of clinics through official Turkish Health Ministry sources.