German agricultural entrepreneur Arthur Strudel, known locally as the “Corn King,” was found dead in Turkey on July 5 at the age of 46, prompting a homicide investigation in Antalya and a weapons raid at his family estate in Germany, according to regional media reports.
Arthur Strudel Death Investigation in Antalya
Arthur Strudel was found dead on July 5 in his newly purchased house in the historic Kaleiçi old town district of Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, according to the Turkish news outlet Haberler. The discovery was reported by his Russian partner, who told authorities she found him in the second-floor room upon returning from a trip to Russia. After the municipal doctor deemed the death suspicious, investigators from Antalya's public order department, homicide squad, and crime scene investigation unit were dispatched to the property.
Estate Conflict Involving Russian Partner and Children
Turkish and German media outlets report that Strudel’s Russian partner has become the focus of a police inquiry amid an ongoing dispute over control of the businessman’s assets, properties, and multi-million-euro inheritance. Strudel built an agricultural empire spanning roughly 4,500 football fields, shifting his base from Baden-Württemberg to the municipality in Sachsen-Anhalt in 2004. German media outlets state that Strudel transferred signing authority in his company to his partner following his separation from his wife in 2024, with whom he shares two children. In 2025, Strudel revoked a power of attorney previously granted to his son. According to the Turkish newspaper Sözcü, Strudel’s children contend that their father was murdered, pointing out that he had no known health problems. No individuals have been officially named as suspects or charged in connection with the Turkish death investigation.
Weapons Cache Discovered at Winningen Monastery Estate
On July 9, German police executed a raid on the monastery estate in Winningen where Strudel grew up and where his Russian partner now lives, uncovering a substantial arsenal. Officers recovered 65 firearms, including pistols, submachine guns, and two machine guns, alongside magazines and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to police statements reported by the German tabloid Bild. A live hand grenade was also found unsecured on the property, alongside luxury watches and unlabelled bottles of liquid stored in two separate stables. A police spokesperson stated that the weapons were transferred to the state criminal police office in Magdeburg for analysis, noting that because investigations are not conducted against deceased persons, authorities must determine who owns or controls the weapons. Police clarified that the raid was not part of the Turkish homicide inquiry, but rather an official operation described as safeguarding the private rights of the deceased landowner’s relatives.
Business Empire and Family Background
The agricultural holdings and corporate properties tied to Strudel represent a multi-million-euro valuation, anchored by the purchase of the Winningen monastery estate financed with startup capital from his grandfather. The grandfather originally built an industrial group comprising machinery factories and foundries. Today, that corporate group employs nearly 5,000 people worldwide and generated revenues in 2024, though financial reports indicated that annual results fell by over 89 million.
Did you know?
Arthur Strudel’s agricultural operations covered an area comparable to roughly 4,500 football fields, built upon startup capital originating from a century-old industrial manufacturing and foundry business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Arthur Strudel?
Arthur Strudel was a 46-year-old German agricultural entrepreneur referred to locally as the “Corn King,” who managed vast landholdings and corporate entities originating from a family industrial fortune.
Where was Arthur Strudel found dead?
According to Turkish media reports, Strudel was found dead on July 5 in his home located in the historic Kaleiçi district of Antalya, Turkey.
Are there any suspects in the case?
As of one month following the incident, no individuals have been formally charged or named as suspects in either the Turkish death investigation or the German weapons inquiry.
What did German police find during the estate raid?
German police raided the Winningen monastery estate on July 9 and recovered 65 firearms, ammunition, an unsecure hand grenade, luxury watches, and unlabelled bottles of liquid.
Explore More: Stay informed on ongoing international investigations by subscribing to our newsletter or checking our latest updates on European legal and corporate developments.
Keep reading