A father was brutally murdered in Chelmsford, Essex, after being seen conversing with his alleged killer just moments before the attack. On November 19, 2024, CCTV footage captured Cumali Turhan, 45, speaking with Ceyhan Dinler at a local pub. The two men later moved to a nearby bar, where Cumali was subsequently stabbed and horrifically mutilated. Following the attack, Dinler fled to Turkey.
The shocking details surrounding Cumali’s final hours and the subsequent investigation have been depicted in the Channel 4 documentary “Catching a Killer: Buried Truths.” According to reports, Dinler is believed to have stabbed Cumali in the neck at the Barista bar before departing the UK from Stansted Airport the following day.
In a gruesome revelation, authorities disclosed that parts of Cumali’s tongue and genitals were severed during the attack and discarded in a bin. Police indicated that evidence suggested Cumali was alive when these brutal acts occurred. Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe led the investigation that ultimately uncovered Cumali’s remains, which were located 45 days after his murder, approximately 20 miles away at the Enovert landfill site in Stanway.
This case marks a significant event, as it is believed to be the first time a police search of a landfill in the UK has resulted in the recovery of a body. The extensive operation involved searching 10 sites with over 1,650 officer shifts dedicated to the effort.
Ciprian Ilie, a 44-year-old Romanian national, received a seven-year prison sentence last October for aiding an offender and obstructing a lawful burial. During the court proceedings, it emerged that Cumali had reportedly been romantically involved with Dinler’s girlfriend, creating a “simmering issue” between the two men.
CCTV footage from The Glove pub captured Dinler calling Cumali four times before the two engaged in a “heated” conversation, concluding with a handshake as they left together. Dinler allegedly lured Cumali to the Barista bar, located near a police station, where the murder took place. Investigators later found Cumali’s blood on the ceiling, along with Dinler’s bloody fingerprint on a table. Prosecutors believe the victim suffered extreme torture before being fatally injured.
Detective Metcalfe expressed her shock at the brutal nature of the crime, stating, “Certainly not what I was expecting on a Saturday afternoon.” Another detective noted the severity of the attack, indicating that Dinler inflicted not only multiple stab wounds but also extreme pain through torture.
Ilie was arrested at a homeless shelter after he reportedly confessed to staff that he had cleaned up the bar following the murder. He later claimed he was threatened with a knife by Dinler and coerced into assisting with the disposal of the body, which ended up in a wheelie bin. Refuse collectors unknowingly transported Cumali’s remains to the landfill.
The mother of Cumali’s daughter revealed that the couple had separated following the death of their son at a young age. Just before his murder, Cumali sent a text to his ex-partner, apologizing and expressing remorse for failing his family.
Essex Police are actively seeking to speak with Dinler regarding the murder and are collaborating with the Crown Prosecution Service to locate him. Detective Metcalfe emphasized the commitment of her team to the investigation, stating, “At the heart of this case is a father who lost his life in truly horrific circumstances and a young daughter who must grow up without him.”
Sergeant Simon Gray, also part of the search team, remarked on the dedication of the officers involved, noting the challenging conditions they faced during the operation. He expressed hope that the documentary would illustrate the commitment to finding Cumali and bringing him home to his family.
