A substantial £10,000 reward is now available in the effort to locate a suspect believed to have fled to Turkey after brutally torturing and killing his romantic rival. The appeal, led by Crimestoppers, urges individuals to come forward with any information leading to the apprehension of Ceyhan Dinler, 38, who allegedly fled the UK following the fatal stabbing of Cumali Turhan in Chelmsford, Essex, in November 2024.
Cumali Turhan, aged 45, was fatally stabbed in the neck following a disturbing incident of torture. Reports suggest that Dinler discovered Mr. Turhan’s secret relationship with his girlfriend, leading to the tragic events. The victim’s body, mutilated with the removal of parts of his tongue and genitals, was tragically discovered at a landfill site in Colchester after an extensive 47-day search by authorities.
In a separate development, Ciprian Ilie, aged 44, was sentenced to seven years in prison for aiding in the disposal of Mr. Turhan’s body. The court heard of an underlying dispute between Dinler and Mr. Turhan over a mutual love interest, adding complexity to the case.
Crimestoppers’ eastern regional manager, Phil Breckton, emphasized the importance of anonymity for anyone providing information related to the case. The urgency to locate Dinler is underscored by the plea for justice from Mr. Turhan’s family in Turkey and the UK.
Recent footage aired in a Channel 4 documentary revealed Mr. Turhan and Dinler engaged in a tense encounter shortly before the alleged murder, captured in a Chelmsford pub. Subsequent investigation led authorities to believe that Dinler enticed Mr. Turhan to a nearby bar where the fatal stabbing took place.
Det Chief Insp Metcalfe expressed shock at the gruesome nature of the crime, highlighting the severity of the case. An appeal for information, with a deadline of 6 April, has been made by Crimestoppers to aid in the search for Dinler and bring closure to the tragic events.