A father was captured on camera conversing with the individual suspected of killing him just moments before he was subjected to a brutal and fatal torture that included having his tongue severed. Cumali Turhan, 45, was spotted socializing with Ceyhan Dinler at a pub in Chelmsford, Essex, on November 19, 2024, before the two proceeded to another nearby bar. Following this, Cumali was viciously attacked, leading to his stabbing and mutilation, while Dinler promptly fled to Turkey the next day.
Details from the Channel 4 documentary, “Catching a Killer: Buried Truths,” have shed light on the harrowing final moments of the father-of-one’s life, along with the extensive police efforts to locate his body in a vast garbage dump. Despite Dinler being at large, evidence suggests that he fatally stabbed Cumali at Barista bar by slashing his neck before departing the UK via Stansted airport.
During the heinous assault, sections of the victim’s tongue and genitals were amputated and discarded in a bin. Examination by the authorities indicated signs of forceful removal and cutting while Cumali was still alive.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe spearheaded the search that ultimately led to the recovery of Cumali’s remains, bringing closure to his bereaved family. His body was found 45 days after the tragic incident, approximately 20 miles away at the Enovert landfill site in Stanway.
This successful recovery marks the first instance in the UK of a body being retrieved during a police search of a landfill. The extensive operation involved examining 10 sites with the contribution of 1,650 officer shifts. Ciprian Ilie, a 44-year-old Romanian national, was sentenced to seven years in prison last October for aiding an offender and impeding a lawful burial.
The court proceedings revealed that Cumali was allegedly romantically involved with Dinler’s partner, leading to ongoing tension between the two men. Surveillance footage captured their heated exchange at The Glove pub in Chelmsford, following repeated calls from the suspected assailant to his victim. The encounter escalated, culminating in the two departing together after a visibly intense discussion.
Dinler is believed to have enticed Cumali to the Barista bar on Duke Street, located just a minute’s walk from the local police station. Despite no visual confirmation of Cumali leaving the establishment, authorities later uncovered traces of his blood on the ceiling and the suspect’s fingerprints in the crime scene.
Prosecutors assert that the Turkish national and avid Tottenham Hotspur supporter met a fatal end by suffering a neck stab wound following mutilation. Metcalfe expressed her shock at the discoveries, stating, “Certainly not what I was expecting on a Saturday afternoon.”
Another investigator noted the extreme nature of the crime, emphasizing the infliction of immense suffering through torture rather than mere stabbing. Ilie’s arrest at a homeless shelter followed his admission of cleaning the bar post-murder, claiming coercion by Dinler to aid in disposing of the body in a bin, subsequently leading to its inadvertent deposit in the landfill.
The mother of Cumali’s child disclosed their separation after the tragic loss of their son in his youth. Prior to his demise, Cumali messaged his former partner with a heartfelt apology, expressing regret over his perceived failures within the family.
Essex Police continue their pursuit of Dinler in connection with the case, collaborating with the Crown Prosecution Service to secure his apprehension. Metcalfe reiterated the dedication of all involved in the investigation to deliver justice for Cumali and his loved ones, emphasizing the profound impact of the father’s untimely demise on his daughter’s upbringing.
Sergeant Simon Gray, who participated in the search efforts, underscored the challenges faced during the operation, including adverse weather conditions hindering the meticulous and sensitive search process. The paramount objective remained the recovery of Cumali’s remains to reunite him with his family.
The documentary “Catching a Killer: Buried Truths” is set to air on Channel 4 on January 6 at 9 pm, offering a detailed account of the investigation’s developments and outcomes.