Nationwide — Martyn Latchman, a 38-year-old man of African descent from Buckinghamshire, England, sadly passed away following complications related to a hair transplant procedure in Istanbul, Turkey. Latchman underwent surgery at the well-known Cinik Clinic in the Besiktas district, where footballer Rio Ferdinand also reportedly received treatment. Turkish authorities have since launched a criminal investigation into possible “reckless homicide,” and have questioned staff and doctors from the clinic.
Latchman, originally from Bridgend, was rushed to a nearby hospital after falling ill during the preparatory phase of the surgery. Despite intensive care efforts, he passed away later that evening. The clinic later clarified that the transplant procedure had not yet begun and emphasized that all necessary pre-operative evaluations had been conducted, including blood work, ECG, and chest X-rays. His body has since been repatriated to the UK.
According to Metro, family and friends have paid tribute to Latchman on social media. His brother, Yashley Latchman, shared a photo of the two working out together, writing, “Rest in peace, my brother. You will forever be my source of inspiration and motivation.” Other relatives marked their grief by turning their social media profiles black.
Latchman was a former assistant headteacher and head of computer science at Goldington Academy from 2016 to 2024. Most recently, he worked as a network administrator for a private defense contractor in Northampton. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from De Montfort University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Bedfordshire. A passionate runner and fundraiser, he completed a 10K daily between December 1 and Christmas Day in 2022, raising nearly £1,900 for the Tree of Hope charity to support a childhood friend’s sick son.
Hair transplant tourism in Turkey has surged in popularity due to the lower costs compared to the UK. The Cinik Clinic, which markets itself as a leading provider with state-of-the-art technology and care in English, claims to have performed over 70,000 procedures since opening nearly two decades ago. It maintains a 4.8 rating on Google and includes endorsements from elite athletes.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing support to Latchman’s family and is in contact with local authorities in Turkey. The clinic said it had submitted all medical documentation to judicial investigators and disputed reports claiming Latchman died during the operation, asserting instead that he fell ill beforehand. The clinic stated that it will not release further information out of respect for the family and the ongoing legal process.