Police are now investigating the death.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said the ministry was aware of the death of a New Zealander in Istanbul and was providing consular assistance to the family.
Ryan, 34, was a freelance journalist who had previously worked for Al Jazeera and The New York Times.
Colleagues have been quick to share their tributes of a woman who they have described as both selfless and fearless.
Asfaaq Carim wrote on TRT World his "dear friend" left behind "a rich legacy of stories that have left a deep impact on people and journalists".
"Her work was tough on power and was decidedly empathetic to all sides," he wrote.
"What made Yasmine stand out, in a newsroom full of talented journalists, was her resolute commitment to listen. To listen sincerely and deeply."
The intrepid career woman was credited with being the first English-language journalist to start in-depth reporting on events in Tunisia preceding the Arab Spring.
New Zealand-born Al Jazeera news anchor Kamahl Santamaria described her as a Kiwi doing great work in the world with a legacy that would not be forgotten.
Her LinkedIn profile describes her as an award-winning digital, print, television and video journalist with over a decade of experience with top international news outlets.
She was a 2016 World Press Institute Fellow and was more recently a senior features editor at TRT World in Istanbul.
A Givealittle page has been set up to support Ryan's father, Tom, and family during this difficult time.
The page said "Yasi's devoted father, Tom, left on the first plane to Turkey last night to bring her back home to New Zealand.
"Funds raised will be used to support Tom and his family to bring Yasmine home and any other associated costs."
By early evening, 17 people had donated $1925 to the Givealittle page.
