Former Below Deck star João Franco and his brother Karlos have been arrested in Turkey following a public fistfight that left a 17-year-old boy dead. The altercation began as a verbal dispute with employees of a clothing store in the Bodrum district of Muğla on Saturday, November 7, at around 8pm.
Altercation turns deadly
According to reports from Turkish media, both siblings used profanity before the argument turned physical outside the shop. CCTV footage shows Karlos throwing the first punch, according to Page Six. João, 36, stepped in and separated his brother from the employee, seemingly attempting to defuse the situation.
However, the employee lunged back at the pair, leading to multiple other employees joining the scuffle. At one point, one of the employees lifted a stool and attempted to throw it at the Francos. João allegedly swung his fist, and a 17-year-old store employee fell and hit his head on steps.
Teen dies in hospital
The teen lay motionless after the fall, and the fight broke up less than a minute later. He sustained a severe head injury and suffered cardiac arrest but was revived by emergency medical responders at the scene before being transported to hospital in critical condition. On Monday, November 9, Turkish publications reported he succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital.
The Bodrum District Police Department Public Security Bureau reviewed the security footage, and their teams apprehended the brothers, who had left the scene. They were given medical checks at the hospital before being taken into custody and appeared in Bodrum Courthouse on Monday. Two further suspects who were arrested and referred to court were released under judicial supervision.
Franco's career
Express.co.uk has contacted Bodrum District Police Department and Bravo for comment. João Franco appeared across four seasons of the Below Deck franchise between 2018 and 2026. He starred in two consecutive seasons of Below Deck Mediterranean and returned for two non-consecutive seasons of Below Deck Down Under.
In May 2026, he confirmed that he would not be returning to the show after becoming the full-time captain of a 43-meter superyacht. "I started a few months ago, and it's a rotational position, which is awesome," he told Majorca Daily. "Below Deck recently hinted at a return, but my new role's terms mean I won't be going back. Sure, the money is great, but with the prestige of my current position, I think I've outgrown it."
