A substantial reward of up to £10,000 is now on offer for information that helps locate a man wanted in connection with a brutal murder in Essex.
The Disappearance and a Grisly Discovery
The case centres on Ceyhan Dinler, who was last seen at Stansted Airport on 19 November 2024. That was the same day that 45-year-old Cumali Turhan vanished.
Investigations revealed the two men had met for a drink in a pub the night before, on 18 November. They were then seen walking together to the Barista Bar on Duke Street in Chelmsford. Tragically, Cumali Turhan never left the area alive.
Following an exhaustive search, Essex Police discovered that Cumali's body had been placed in a bin. The subsequent investigation led to the conviction of Ciprian Ilie, 44. In October, he was jailed for seven years for assisting an offender (murder) and preventing the lawful burial of a body. However, the hunt for Dinler continues.
A Relentless Search for Justice
The renewed appeal follows a recent Channel 4 documentary, Catching a Killer, which highlighted the police's determined efforts. To find Cumali, officers conducted a painstaking search of an Essex landfill site over 47 days.
They combed through an area of 5,000 square metres – roughly the size of a football pitch – which was up to five metres deep in places. The team sifted through 1,500 tonnes of waste before finally locating Cumali's remains, allowing him to be returned to his family.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, leading the investigation, stated: “We are completely focused on locating Mr Dinler so he can answer our questions. Cumali’s family deserve answers and justice. We will not stop looking for him.”
How to Claim the Anonymous Reward
The independent charity Crimestoppers is supporting the investigation by offering a reward of up to £10,000. The money is for information that only the charity receives – not the police – which leads to Dinler's arrest.
Phil Breckon, Eastern Regional Manager at Crimestoppers, emphasised the guarantee of anonymity: “With Crimestoppers, you stay completely anonymous. That means no police, no courts, no witness statements. No one will ever know.”
To be eligible for the reward, information must be provided by calling 0800 555 111 at any time or via the Crimestoppers website. The reward is available for three months and will expire on 6 April.
If contacting via the online form, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used, and a reward code must be requested during the initial contact. When calling, a reward code must also be asked for.
