‘Below Deck’ alum arrested in Turkey after fistfight leaves 17-year-old dead as video shows brutal brawl

João Franco, 36, and his brother Karlos Franco were arrested in Turkey after a fistfight outside a clothing store in the Bodrum district of Muğla left a 17-year-old employee dead, according to The Daily Beast, Bravo and Cocktails and the Irish Star. The fight happened on Saturday night, and the teenager later died from his injuries, Haberler.com reported on Monday, November 11.

The Daily Beast said CCTV footage obtained by Page Six shows the brothers in a verbal dispute with store employees. Karlos can be seen throwing the first punch while João attempts to break up the brawl, and the scuffle escalated as more shop employees entered the fray. Bravo and Cocktails described the confrontation as escalating from a verbal disagreement into a physical fight, with multiple men exchanging punches and kicks. At one point, someone reportedly picked up a stool and attempted to throw it toward the brothers.

Local outlets Voices Newspaper and Haberler.com reported that the brothers allegedly used profanity during the argument, which spilled outside the store. Bravo and Cocktails said the video appears to show João swinging his fist before one of the men fell to the ground and remained motionless. Local reports identified the injured person as a 17-year-old employee who struck his head on steps during the altercation.

Voices Newspaper reported that the teenager suffered a severe head injury and went into cardiac arrest. Emergency responders revived him before transporting him to Muğla Training and Research Hospital in critical condition. Haberler.com subsequently reported that he died from his injuries, while The Daily Beast said he was rushed to a hospital, where he died two days later.

The brothers were taken to Bodrum Courthouse and are being held in prison, according to Bravo and Cocktails and the Irish Star. A source told Page Six that they are "awaiting the next steps." Bravo and Cocktails noted that authorities have not publicly detailed the specific charges against the brothers in the reports provided.

João and Karlos were born in Zimbabwe before moving to Europe to pursue careers in the yachting industry, according to Page Six. João became known to Bravo viewers through appearances on "Below Deck Mediterranean," where he worked as a deckhand and later returned as bosun, Bravo and Cocktails said. The Daily Beast added that he appeared across multiple seasons of Below Deck Mediterranean and Below Deck Down Under. In May, he told the Mallorca Daily Bulletin that he had become the captain of a very large vessel and would not be returning to the Bravo show, saying, "Sure, the money is great, but with the prestige of my current position, I think I've outgrown it." His talent agency currently lists him as captain of a 43-meter superyacht, The Daily Beast reported.