A bone-chilling Essex murder case that saw cops scouring a landfill for a missing dad’s body is landing on your screens. Channel 4’s gripping new documentary Catching A Killer: Buried Truths exposes the relentless hunt for 45-year-old Cumali Turhan, who disappeared in Chelmsford in November 2024.
No-Body Murder Case Shakes Essex
Alarm bells rang when Cumali failed to show up for work. What followed was a dramatic “no body” murder investigation that gripped the entire county.
Gruesome 47-Day Landfill Search Uncovered
A remarkable 47-day search through multiple landfill sites in Essex, led by senior detective chief inspector Louise Metcalfe and police sergeant Simon Gray, broke new ground. It’s thought to be the UK’s first-ever successful landfill search to recover a murder victim’s body.
- More than 1,650 officer shifts logged
- Ten separate landfill locations combed
- Relentless work in brutal weather and rough terrain
“Every officer and staff member was committed to finding Cumali and securing justice. At the heart of this is a father who lost his life in horrific circumstances and a young daughter growing up without him. We won’t stop until the main suspect faces the courts,”
said DCI Metcalfe.
“This documentary shows the dedication behind the scenes. The conditions were tough but our mission was clear – bring Cumali home,”
added Sgt Gray.
Man Jailed, Fugitive Still At Large
On 14 October, Ciprian Ilie, 44, was jailed for seven years after a Chelmsford Crown Court trial convicted him of helping an offender and preventing a lawful burial.
Meanwhile, police are on the hunt for 38-year-old Ceyhan Dinler, who fled the country the day Cumali vanished, flying out from Stansted. Officers are working hard to track him down.
Don’t miss Catching a Killer: Buried Truths on Channel 4, Tuesday 6 January at 9pm.
