A reward of £10,000 is being offered to assist in locating a suspect who has reportedly fled to Turkey after brutally murdering his romantic rival. Crimestoppers is urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the apprehension of Ceyhan Dinler, aged 38. Authorities revealed that Dinler left 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, Mr. Turhan, aged 45, was stabbed to death and subjected to torture on November 19, 2024, after Dinler discovered his relationship with Dinler’s girlfriend. Tragically, Mr. Turhan was seen with the suspect at a pub shortly before the gruesome incident. The investigation uncovered that during the attack, parts of the victim’s tongue and genitals were mutilated and discarded in a bin, indicating severe brutality inflicted while Mr. Turhan was still alive. After an extensive 47-day search, the victim’s body was found by detectives at a landfill site in Colchester.
Detective Chief Inspector Metcalfe stated the relentless efforts made to locate Mr. Turhan’s body and emphasized the commitment to tracking down Ceyhan Dinler. Another individual, Ciprian Ilie, was convicted of aiding in Mr. Turhan’s murder and concealing his body, resulting in a seven-year imprisonment. The court heard of ongoing tensions between Dinler and Mr. Turhan related to a romantic involvement.
Phil Breckton, the regional manager at Crimestoppers, assured complete anonymity to anyone providing information on Dinler’s whereabouts, highlighting the significance of delivering justice to Cumali Turhan’s family. A recent Channel 4 documentary showcased CCTV footage of the last encounters between Mr. Turhan and Dinler at a local bar before the suspected murder took place.
Dinler is believed to have enticed Mr. Turhan to a nearby bar, where the fatal stabbing occurred. Evidence, including the victim’s blood and the suspect’s fingerprint, was later found at the scene. The investigation team expressed shock at the extreme violence exhibited in the case and urged the public to come forward with any relevant information. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimestoppers, and the reward offer is valid until April 6.