Romanian navy soldier Bengi-George Tărtăcuță, 26, found dead in Babadag forest after four-day search

The victim

Bengi-George Tărtăcuță, aged 26, served as a soldier in the Romanian Naval Forces, attached to the 307th Marine Infantry Regiment "Heracleea." Originally from Vaslui county, he had been living in a rented apartment in Babadag, a town in Tulcea county in eastern Romania.

“With profound sadness, the personnel of the Romanian Naval Forces express their regret for the loss of our colleague, soldier Tărtăcuță Bengi-George, who passed away at only 26 years of age.”

Timeline of disappearance and discovery

Tărtăcuță left his Babadag residence voluntarily on 17 July 2026 and did not return. His disappearance was reported to the police on 21 July. Officers from the Tulcea County Police Inspectorate (IPJ Tulcea) then organized a search operation in the wooded area surrounding the town. On the morning of 24 July, in difficult terrain thick with vegetation, the search team located his body.

Investigation opened

The IPJ Tulcea has opened a criminal case for negligent homicide (ucidere din culpă). The body was transported to the Tulcea Forensic Medicine Service for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing under the supervision of a competent prosecutor, and no official conclusions about the circumstances have been announced pending the autopsy results.

“During the search operations, in an area difficult to access with abundant vegetation, the lifeless body of the man was identified. The body was collected and transported to the Tulcea Forensic Medicine Service for the purpose of performing the necropsy and establishing with exactitude the cause of death.”

Naval Forces response

The Romanian Naval Forces issued a statement on social media expressing condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and all who knew Tărtăcuță. They pledged full support to those left behind and described the moment as one of profound sorrow.