TV star and brother arrested after fatal fistfight leaves teen dead

A former star of Bravo's reality yachting series Below Deck has been arrested in Turkey alongside his brother following a public fistfight. A 17-year-old boy who was seriously injured in the altercation later died. According to reports from Turkish media João Franco and his brother Karlos Franco initially got into a verbal dispute with the employees of a clothing store in the Bodrum district of Muğla on Saturday, November 7 at around 8pm. Both siblings were using "profanity" before the argument turned physical outside the shop. CCTV shows Karlos throwing the first punch, according to Page Six.

João, 36, immediately stepped in and separated his brother from the employee seemingly attempting to defuse the situation.

However the employee lunged back at the pair and this led to multiple other employees stepping into the scuffle.

At one point one of the employees lifted up a stool and attempted to throw it at the Francos.

João allegedly swung his fist at one point, and a 17-year-old store employee fell and hit his head on steps.

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.

However on Monday, November 9 Turkish publications reported he succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital.

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 they took them into custody and they appeared in Bodrum Courthouse on Monday.

Two further suspects who were arrested and reffered to court were released under judicial supervision.

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."

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