Chelmsford: Murder investigation - Body found
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Sunday 12 January 2025
Officers investigating the disappearance of a man from Chelmsford have found a body.
Detectives launched an investigation following reports that Cumali Turhan, 46, was missing from Chelmsford on Monday 18 November 2024.
As a result of our initial enquiries, we quickly established serious concerns for his welfare.
Now, we can confirm that the body of a man has been found at a landfill site in Essex, on Saturday 11 January.
Essex Police are now able to identify the body as that of Cumali Turhan.
The search for the missing man has now concluded and his family have been informed of the development.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who leads the investigation, said:
Specialist officers have been working diligently for 45 days at the landfill site in conditions that have called heavily on their resilience.
Their hard work has continued unabated even during the extreme weather to support detectives who have worked quickly to progress the extremely challenging investigation.
Throughout this difficult time, we have been in regular contact with Cumali’s family.
They will continue to be supported by specialist officers as it will take some time for them to come to terms with this news.
Enquiries at the landfill site are expected to continue for several days and we would like to thank our partners who have helped facilitate on-going searches at the location for several weeks: changes to their working arrangements have been of significant support to the investigation.
DCI Metcalfe continues to appeal for information about a suspect in this case who has been identified as Ceyhan Dinler, 38, from Chelmsford. He left the country via Stansted Airport on the same day Cumali was last in contact with anyone.
Anyone who has information that could help the investigation can report here.
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Monday 23 December
A man appeared in court on Monday 23 December to face two charges as part of our ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Cumali Turhan in Chelmsford.
Ciprian Ilie, 44, pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender (murder) and preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court.
He was remanded into custody and a trial date was set for September 2025.
Our investigation into the disappearance of 45-year-old Cumali is continuing and officers still want to hear from anyone who may have any information.
As part of those enquiries a second suspect has been identified as Ceyhan Dinler, 38, from Chelmsford. He left the country via Stansted Airport on the same day Cumali was last in contact with anyone.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who is leading the investigation, said:
"It is five weeks since anyone saw Cumali in The Globe pub on Rainsford Road.
"Our enquiries suggest he may later have been in Barista in Duke Street. This is an extremely challenging investigation, and we have a team of officers from across Essex Police working to find answers for Cumali’s family."
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Friday 6 December
Detectives investigating the disappearance of Cumali Turhan in Chelmsford are now in a position to name a man who they have identified as a second suspect.
Ceyhan Dinler, 38, from Chelmsford, is wanted in connection with the disappearance of Cumali.
Cumali has not been heard from since just after midnight on Tuesday November 19.
The team leading the investigation can confirm that Ceyhan Dinler left the country via London Stansted Airport on the same day Cumali was last in contact with anyone.
This complex investigation is moving at a pace and officers are liaising with partners and the appropriate authorities as they look to locate Ceyhan Dinler as quickly as possible.
Alongside this strand of our investigation, we are continuing to piece together the circumstances around how Cumali came to be missing.
The 45-year-old was last seen in The Globe pub on Rainsford Road on Monday 18 November and we have information to suggest he may have later been in Barista in Duke Street.
Our forensics officers have been searching a number of locations around Duke Street and a refuse transfer site in the city. We continue our detailed and methodical search of part of a landfill site in Essex.
This painstaking and challenging activity started on Wednesday 27 November and focuses on a 5,000 square metres area of the site.
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A missing man is at the heart of this
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who is leading this investigation, said:
“It is more than two weeks since Cumali’s disappearance and teams of officers from across Essex Police are working hard to understand what has happened to him.
“This is an extremely challenging investigation, with a missing man at its heart, we are determined to get answers for his family and bring those responsible to justice.
“We continue to appeal for information and would ask anyone with information on Cumali’s disappearance to get in touch.”
- On Saturday 23 November 44-year-old Ciprian Ilie appeared at court charged with assisting an offender (murder) and preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body. He was remanded in custody to next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 23 December.
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Previous investigation updates
On the evening of Tuesday 19 November we received reports that Cumali Turhan was missing after he didn’t arrive at work.
Very quickly our enquiries established serious concerns for his welfare.
Cumali was last seen in Chelmsford in the early hours of Tuesday.
As part of our investigation a man was arrested. He has since been charged with assisting an offender (murder) and preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body.
He was remanded into custody and will appear at the Crown Court next month.
We have also been able to confirm that a second man has been identified as a suspect.
Work is ongoing to locate him. We know this man left the country on the day of Cumali’s disappearance and we are working with partners on progressing that aspect of the investigation.
We are continuing to build a detailed picture of Cumali’s movements in the lead up to his disappearance.
We know he was last heard from at just after midnight of Tuesday when he was in The Globe pub on Rainsford Road.
We have information to suggest that he then went to Barista, in Duke Street.
Our specialist teams have been working day and night, to build a picture of the circumstances leading up to Cumali’s disappearance.
Our forensic work has been focussed on several locations, including the Duke Street area of Chelmsford and Barista specifically.
We have also searched a refuse transfer site in the Chelmsford area.
We are exploring all possibilities to locate Cumali and this activity will now involve a detailed search of part of a landfill site in Essex.
This specialised search activity will involve teams of officers working every day in a very challenging environment.
We’ve identified an area of 5,000 square metres on the site where our search activity will be focused.
We want to thank the owners of the site for their patience and understanding while this vital work is undertaken.
It is methodical work which will take time and we will not rush it. We’re committed to finding answers for Cumali’s family.
We understand that this investigation will be very concerning for the local community in Chelmsford, and especially the city’s Turkish community.
We want to thank people from across this community for coming forward to speak to us and assisting with our investigation. We still want more people to come forward.
You will see our officers in the area, and I would urge people to come and speak to us.
I would ask that people refrain from speculation on social media at this time. There is a missing man at the heart of this investigation. This is a very distressing time for his loved ones.
Detectives investigating the disappearance of Cumali Turhan in Chelmsford are now able to confirm a second person has been identified as a suspect.
On Saturday 23 November, 44-year-old Ciprian Ilie appeared in court charged with assisting an offender (murder) and preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body.
He was remanded into custody to next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on December 23.
We’re now able to confirm that as a result of the work carried by our investigators a second man has been identified as a suspect and work is ongoing to locate him.
We know that Cumali was last seen in Chelmsford in the early hours of Tuesday 19 November. This man left the country later that day.
At this stage, we’re working with a number of partners in relation to his location.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who is leading the investigation, said:
“This is a complex investigation which we’re progressing at pace and we’re following a number of targeted lines of enquiry.
“One of those lines is the whereabouts of a second man who we’ve now identified as a suspect. We know he left the country soon after Cumali was last seen and we’re working with partners on progressing that aspect of the investigation.
“Our specialist search and forensic officers will continue to work day and night in the coming days as we continue to build a picture of the circumstances which led up to Cumali’s disappearance.”
Türkçe çeviri
Chelmsford’da Cumali Turhan’ın kaybolmasıyla ilgili soruşturma yürüten dedektifler, şimdi ikinci bir kişinin şüpheli olarak tespit edildiğini doğruladı.
Bugün sabah, 23 Kasım Cumartesi günü, 44 yaşındaki Ciprian Ilie, bir suçluya yardım etmek (cinayet) ve ölü bir bedeni kanuna uygun ve düzgün şekilde gömme hakkını engellemekle suçlanarak mahkemeye çıktı.
Mahkeme tarafından tutuklanarak, 23 Aralık’ta Chelmsford Crown Court'ta bir sonraki duruşmaya çıkması için tutuklu yargılanmasına karar verildi.
Şimdi, soruşturmacılarımızın yürüttüğü çalışmalar sonucunda, ikinci bir erkeğin şüpheli olarak tespit edildiğini ve onun yerini bulmak için çalışmaların devam ettiğini doğruluyoruz.
Cumali'nin en son Salı sabahı (19 Kasım) Chelmsford’da görüldüğünü biliyoruz. Bu adam, aynı gün daha sonra ülkeyi terk etti.
Şu aşamada, bu kişinin yerini tespit etmek için bir dizi ortakla birlikte çalışıyoruz.
Soruşturmayı yürüten Dedektif Başmüfettişi Louise Metcalfe:
“Bu karmaşık bir soruşturma ve hızlı bir şekilde ilerliyoruz. Bir dizi hedeflenmiş araştırma hattını takip ediyoruz,” dedi.
“Bu araştırma hatlarından biri, şimdi şüpheli olarak tespit ettiğimiz ikinci bir adamın nerede olduğudur. Cumali’nin son kez görüldüğü andan kısa bir süre sonra ülkeyi terk ettiğini biliyoruz ve bu yönü soruşturmada ilerletmek için ortaklarımızla birlikte çalışıyoruz.”
DCI Metcalfe, “Uzman arama ve adli tıp ekiplerimiz, Cumali’nin kaybolmasına yol açan koşulları anlamaya devam ederken önümüzdeki günlerde gece gündüz çalışmaya devam edecek,” diye ekledi.
Cumali’nin kaybolmasıyla ilgili bilgisi olan herkesi, lütfen bize bilgi vermek için başvurması konusunda tekrar teşvik ediyoruz.
A man has been charged as part of our investigation into the disappearance of Cumali Turhan in Chelmsford.
Investigators from our serious crime directorate are continuing to piece together the circumstances around how Cumali came to be missing.
The 45-year-old was last heard from just after midnight on Tuesday 19 November when he was in The Globe pub on Rainsford Road.
We have information to suggest he may have later been in Barista, in Duke Street.
Specialist search and forensic teams are focussing their efforts in a number of locations, including around the Duke Street area of Chelmsford and Barista specifically.
As part of our investigation a man was arrested and questioned on suspicion of murder.
This morning, 44-year-old Ciprian Ilie has been charged with assisting an offender (murder) and preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body.
He is due to appear in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today, Saturday 23 November.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who is leading the investigation, said:
“We’re continuing to build a picture of the circumstances leading up to Cumali being reported as missing to us, including whether others have been involved.
“That work includes very focused forensic and search efforts in and around Chelmsford as well as reviewing many hours of CCTV footage.
“As part of this investigation, one man has now been charged. Today, our investigation will continue at pace and we will endeavour to keep our communities as well-informed as we possibly can.
“I would reiterate that I would still like to hear from anyone who may have information which may help our investigation.
“If you’ve seen Cumali in the early part of this week, or specifically in the Globe pub from around midnight on Monday into Tuesday, or in or near Barista in the early hours of the Tuesday, please contact us.”
Türkçe çeviri
Cumali Turhan’ın Chelmsford’daki kaybolmasıyla ilgili soruşturma kapsamında bir adam suçlanmıştır.
Ciddi suçlar direktörlüğünden soruşturmacılar, Cumali’nin kaybolma olayının çevresindeki koşulları aydınlatmaya devam etmektedir.
45 yaşındaki Cumali, Salı günü (19 Kasım) gece yarısından hemen sonra Rainsford Road’daki The Globe pub’ında son kez duyulmuştur.
Daha sonra Duke Street’teki Barista’da bulunmuş olabileceğine dair bilgilerimiz bulunmaktadır.
Uzman arama ve kriminal ekipler, Chelmsford’daki Duke Street bölgesinde ve özellikle Barista’da arama çalışmalarına odaklanmaktadır.
Soruşturma kapsamında bir adam gözaltına alınmış ve cinayet suçlamasıyla sorgulanmıştır.
Bu sabah, 44 yaşındaki Ciprian Ilie, bir suçluyu koruma (cinayet) ve ölü bir bedeni yasal ve düzgün bir şekilde gömmeyi engelleme suçlarından dolayı suçlanmıştır.
Bugün, 23 Kasım Cumartesi günü, Chelmsford Sulh Ceza Mahkemesi’ne çıkması beklenmektedir.
Soruşturmayı yürüten Dedektif Başmüfettişi Louise Metcalfe:
"Cumali'nin kaybolduğunun bildirilmesinin ardından yaşanan olayların tümünü anlamaya devam ediyoruz, buna başkalarının da dahil olup olmadığı da dahil," dedi.
"Bu çalışma, Chelmsford çevresinde çok odaklı kriminal ve arama çalışmalarını, ayrıca birçok saatlik CCTV görüntülerinin gözden geçirilmesini içeriyor.
"Bu soruşturma kapsamında bir adam şimdi suçlanmış durumda. Bugün soruşturma hızla devam edecek ve toplumu mümkün olduğunca bilgilendirmeye çalışacağız.
"Herhangi bir bilgisi olanlardan, özellikle bu hafta başında Cumali’yi, özellikle Pazartesi’den Salı’ya gece yarısı The Globe pub’ında veya Salı sabahı erken saatlerde Barista’da veya çevresinde görmüş olanlardan hala bilgi almak istiyorum," diye ekledi.
Artık halkın bize her türlü bilgiyi sağlamak için kullanabileceği özel bir portalımız bulunmaktadır. Bu portal şurada bulunabilir: Public Portal
Detectives are continuing to question a man on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of a man in Chelmsford.
Cumali Turhan, 45, was last heard from just after midnight on Tuesday (19 November) when he was in The Globe pub on Rainsford Road.
We have information to suggest he may have later been in Barista, in Duke Street, and officers are carrying out enquiries to find him.
Activity by specialist search and forensics teams is focussed on in a number of locations, including around the Duke Street area of Chelmsford and Barista specifically.
As part of our investigation a 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who is leading the investigation, said:
“Cumali is still missing and we have teams of specially trained officers carrying out painstaking search activity to find him, as well as investigating CCTV and other lines of enquiry.
“He is being treated as a missing person but as part of our investigation a man is in custody having been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“We are building a picture of the circumstances which led up to Cumali’s disappearance, including the possible involvement of other people.
“However, we still need to hear from anyone who may have information which may help our investigation.
“I need anyone who may have seen him in The Globe pub around midnight from Monday into Tuesday, or in and around the area of Barista in the early hours of the Tuesday to contact us.
“I also need to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Duke Street area at around the same time.”
Türkçe çeviri
Chelmsford bolgesinde bir adamın ortadan kaybolmasıyla bağlantılı olarak, Dedektifler şüpheli bir adamı sorgulamaya devam ediyorlar,
45 yaşındaki Cumali Turhan'dan en son 19 Kasım, Salı günü, gece yarısından sonra Rainsford Road'daki “The Globe” barında oldugu duyulmusdur.
Daha sonra Duke Caddesi'ndeki Barista'da olabileceğini gösteren bilgilere sahibiz ve memurlar onu bulmak için soruşturma yürütüyorlar.
Uzman arama ve adli tıp ekiplerinin faaliyetleri, özellikle Chelmsford'un Duke Street bölgesi ve Barista da dahil olmak üzere bir yerde odaklanmaktadır
Soruşturmamızın bir parçası olarak, 44 yaşındaki bir adam cinayet şüphesiyle tutuklandı ve gözaltında tutuluyor. Soruşturmayı yürüten Dedektif Baş Müfettiş Louise Metcalfe konu hakinda bilgi Verdi.
“Cumali Turhan hala kayip olmaklan birlikde, bulmak icin halen calismalar yurtuluyor. Kayip olarak aranan Cumali Turan hakinda bir kisi cinayet suphesiyle gozaltina alinmistir. Gorunen o ki, Cumali Turhan’in kaybolmasinda diger kisi yada kisilerin, olayla ilgili oldu saninmakdadir. Ancak, araştirmadizda yardımcı olabilecek bilgilere sahip herkezden yardim bekliyoruz. Cumali Turhan’i pazartesiden salı gece yarısina “The Globe pub” civarında veya Salı gününün erken saatlerinde Barista bölgesinde ve çevresinde görmüş olabilecek herkesin bizimle iletişime gecmesini rica ederiz. Aynı anda Duke Street bölgesinde şüpheli bir şey gören herkesle de konuşmam gerekiyor."
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Chelmsford.
Officers launched an investigation following reports of a 46-year-old man missing from Chelmsford on Monday 18 November, and our enquiries quickly established serious concerns for his welfare.
Now, we can confirm a 44-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody for questioning.
As part of our work our officers are also carrying out enquiries at premises in Duke Street in the city centre.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe said:
“This is a fast-moving investigation with officers working around the clock to establish the facts of the case.
“As with all investigations of this nature we are in regular contact with the missing man’s family and they are being supported by specialist officers.
“We would urge people not to speculate about this the incident while we carry out our work, but I’d like to reassure everyone that we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public.”
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