Below Deck star arrested after teen killed in fistfight: report
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A Below Deck alum and his brother have been arrested after a fistfight reportedly led to the death of a 17-year-old in Turkey.
Former Bravo star João Franco, 36, and his brother, Karlos Franco, were taken into custody after an alleged altercation with the employees at a clothing store Saturday in the Bodrum district of Muğla, according to several local media reports.
Local outlets reported that the siblings were using “profanity” before the verbal argument escalated into a physical one outside of the shop. “It is alleged the tourists, reportedly intoxicated, started arguing with shop officials because they were using foul language,” regional Voices Newspaper reported, although it is not clear what exactly led to the dispute.
Security camera footage obtained by Page Six appears to show Karlos throwing the first punch at the store worker before João — who is known for previously starring on Below Deck Mediterranean and Below Deck Down Under — stepped in and appeared to push Karlos away from the melee.
The employee appeared to then lunge at the pair and begin punching them. Other workers came out of the store to get involved while the brothers seemed to fight back with fists swinging.
Joao Franco and his brother were arrested in Turkey after a fistfight left a 17-year-old dead (Bravo)
In the footage, one of the figures is seen falling to the ground and lying motionless until the fight breaks up.
Later reports said the person who fell to the ground was a 17-year-old boy working at the store. The teenager reportedly hit his head on the stairs when he fell, which left him in cardiac arrest and “having to be revived by medics” on the street, according to Voices Newspaper.
He was then transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where he died Monday, according to Turkish news outlet Haberler.
João and Karlos were then arrested and taken to Bodrum Courthouse. They are currently in prison, where Page Six reports that they are waiting for their next steps.
A representative for Bravo declined to comment on the situation when approached by The Independent.
Joao Franco starred on 'Below Deck Down Under' and 'Below Deck Mediterranean' (Fred Jagueneau/Bravo)
Each of the Franco brothers were both born in Zimbabwe and relocated to Europe to pursue careers in yachting.
João debuted on season three of Below Deck Mediterranean in 2018 as a lead deckhand under Captain Sandy Yawn, returning the next season as a bosun. He then moved to Below Deck Down Under for seasons two and four as a bosun under Captain Jason Chambers, before becoming a captain of his own.
Bravo renewed the show for a fifth season earlier this year, but João said he would not return because his career had progressed.
Source: Crime
