A reward of £10,000 is being offered to assist in locating a suspect believed to have fled to Turkey after brutally killing his romantic rival. Crimestoppers is urging the public to provide information leading to the capture of Ceyhan Dinler, aged 38, who fled the country in November 2024 following the fatal stabbing of Cumali Turhan in Chelmsford, Essex. Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe from Essex Police emphasized the importance of bringing justice to Cumali’s family.
The victim, 45-year-old Mr. Turhan, was fatally stabbed in the neck after being subjected to torture on November 19, 2024. Dinler allegedly found out about Mr. Turhan’s secret relationship with his girlfriend, leading to the tragic events. The mutilated body of Mr. Turhan was later discovered by detectives at a landfill site in Colchester after a thorough search lasting 47 days.
Another individual, Ciprian Ilie, was sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in the suspected murder of Mr. Turhan and for hindering the proper burial of the victim’s body. Ilie assisted in disposing of Mr. Turhan’s body in a bin, which was later taken to a landfill site. The court revealed the underlying dispute between Dinler and Mr. Turhan over a mutual love interest.
Phil Breckton, the regional manager at Crimestoppers, assured complete anonymity to anyone providing information to help locate Dinler. The charity stressed the importance of finding answers and justice for Cumali Turhan’s family, both in Turkey and the UK. The public’s assistance could greatly impact this tragic case.
In recent developments, a Channel 4 documentary titled “Catching a Killer: Buried Truths” aired footage showing Mr. Turhan and Dinler at a bar shortly before the suspected murder. The two men engaged in a heated discussion before leaving together. Subsequent CCTV footage suggested that Dinler led Mr. Turhan to a nearby bar where the fatal stabbing occurred.
Detective Chief Inspector Metcalfe expressed shock at the gruesome nature of the crime, emphasizing the extreme torture inflicted on the victim. Information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers, with the reward offer expiring on 6 April.