Founder of White Helmets Dies          11/11 07:43

   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 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 that "comprehensive administrative and 
judicial investigations into Le Mesurier's death have been initiated."

   Anadolu said police established that no one had entered or left his home at 
the time of the incident, and 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.

   The private DHA news agency said authorities were investigating whether he 
had committed suicide, saying he had allegedly been on anti-depressant pills. 
Anadolu also reported that Le Mesurier's wife told police her husband had been 
taking medicine to treat "intense stress."

   It said Le Mesurier's body was awaiting an autopsy. 


(KR)