A father was captured on camera conversing with the individual suspected of his murder just before he was subjected to a gruesome death involving torture that included having his tongue severed.
Cumali Turhan, aged 45, was observed at a pub in Chelmsford, Essex, alongside Ceyhan Dinler on November 19, 2024, before the pair proceeded to a nearby bar. Following this, Cumali was viciously stabbed, mutilated, and Dinler fled to his home country of Turkey the following day.
Details of the final moments of the father’s life and the subsequent police efforts to locate his remains in a vast landfill were unveiled in a Channel 4 documentary titled “Catching a Killer: Buried Truths.” Dinler, who is currently evading authorities, allegedly slashed Cumali’s neck at Barista bar before departing the UK via Stansted airport.
During the heinous attack, parts of the victim’s tongue and genitals were amputated and discarded. Law enforcement indicated that the bruising near the base of the tongue suggested that it was forcefully removed while Cumali was still alive.
The search, led by Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, ultimately led to the recovery of Cumali’s body 45 days post the murder, approximately 20 miles away at the Enovert landfill site in Stanway. This recovery marked the first instance of a police investigation in the UK successfully locating a body within a landfill.
Ciprian Ilie, a 44-year-old Romanian national, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October after being found guilty of aiding an offender and obstructing a lawful burial. Reports suggested that Cumali had allegedly been romantically involved with Dinler’s partner, leading to underlying tensions between the two. The men were captured on CCTV engaging in a heated discussion at The Glove pub in Chelmsford before departing together.
Subsequently, Dinler is believed to have enticed Cumali to the Barista bar on Duke Street, a short distance from the local police station, where the fatal stabbing occurred. Surveillance footage did not capture the victim exiting the bar, but investigators later discovered his blood and the suspect’s fingerprint at the scene.
Prosecutors theorize that the Tottenham Hotspur enthusiast and Turkish national was fatally stabbed in the neck following mutilation. Metcalfe expressed shock at the discovery of the body parts, emphasizing the brutality of the crime.
Ilie was apprehended at a homeless shelter after confessing to a staff member about cleaning up the crime scene. He later claimed that he was coerced by Dinler at knifepoint to assist in disposing of the body, resulting in Cumali’s unwitting burial in a landfill.
The mother of Cumali’s child disclosed that their relationship ended after the tragic death of their son. In a text message to his ex-partner before his demise, Cumali expressed remorse for his actions and failures.
Essex Police continue their quest to locate Dinler in connection with the homicide, collaborating with the Crown Prosecution Service to bring him to justice. Metcalfe reiterated the commitment of the investigative team to uncover the truth and ensure accountability for the victim and his family.
Sergeant Simon Gray, who participated in the search operation, highlighted the dedication and perseverance of the search team, emphasizing the challenging conditions they faced in their pursuit of locating Cumali and providing closure to his loved ones.
The documentary “Catching a Killer: Buried Truths” is scheduled to air on Channel 4 on January 6 at 9 pm.