A father was chillingly photographed with his alleged killer just moments before being brutally murdered. Cumali Turhan is seen in a Chelmsford pub, laughing and chatting with Ceyhan Dinler, the man suspected of taking his life in a horrifying act. The encounter took place on November 19, 2024, giving no hint of the tragedy about to unfold.
After the pub, the duo moved to a bar nearby, where the grim events were believed to have unfolded. The night took a dark turn at the Barista bar, where Cumali, 45, was reportedly stabbed and mutilated. Dinler fled the UK shortly after, escaping to Turkey. Meanwhile, police faced the harrowing task of locating Cumali’s body amidst the endless waste of a landfill some 20 miles away. It took a dedicated team 45 days to recover his remains from Enovert landfill site in Stanway.
Channel 4’s gripping documentary, “Catching a Killer: Buried Truths,” unravels this tragic story, revealing Cumali’s final hours and the exhaustive police investigation. The programme shows how detectives vowed to bring Cumali’s story to light and his alleged killer to justice.
This case marks a grim first as UK officers successfully reclaimed a body from a landfill — a testament to their unwavering commitment. Sadly, the case remains open with Dinler conspicuously at large. Despite the heart-wrenching circumstances, the team remains resolved, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure justice is served.
In a chilling twist, evidence suggested an “ongoing and simmering issue” between Cumali and Dinler, allegedly over Dinler’s girlfriend. CCTV footage from the day shows a seemingly tense exchange before they left together, highlighting how quickly an ordinary evening can take a fatal turn.
Our thoughts are with Cumali’s family, especially his young daughter, who must navigate the future without her dad. The dedication from Essex Police highlights their determination to ensure every victim gets justice, no matter how challenging the road.