ISTANBUL (AP) — A former British army officer who helped found the White Helmets volunteer organization in Syria, was found dead in Istanbul early Monday, Turkish officials and the group said.
James Le Mesurier’s body was found near his home in the Beyoglu district by worshippers on their way to a mosque, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
The Istanbul governor’s office said “comprehensive administrative and judicial investigations” had been initiated into Le Mesurier’s death.
Anadolu said police established that no one had entered or left his home at the time of the incident, and they believe he may have fallen to his death.
Le Mesurier was the founder and CEO of May Day Rescue, which founded and trained the White Helmets, also known as the Syria Civil Defense, a group of local humanitarian volunteers. Anadolu said he was 48 and had moved to Turkey with his wife four years ago.
The White Helmets confirmed his death on its Facebook page.
“The family of the Syrian Civil D..