A man, Ciprian Ilie, aged 44, has been convicted of aiding in the murder of Cumali Turham, whose body was discovered at a landfill site in Stanway, near Colchester, almost two months after being dumped in a bin. Cumali, 46, vanished after visiting a bar in Chemlsford on November 19 and his remains were located on January 11, 2022. Authorities are still seeking Ceyhan Dinler, 38, who is suspected of fatally stabbing Cumali before fleeing the UK.
During a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Ilie, a homeless individual, recounted being coerced into assisting in disposing of Cumali’s body after encountering a gruesome scene at a bar where Cumali had been with Dinler. Ilie claimed he and his girlfriend were threatened and compelled to assist under duress. CCTV footage revealed the last moments of Cumali alive, leaving a pub with Dinler before his disappearance.
The coroner confirmed Cumali’s cause of death as stab wounds to the neck, with body parts discovered at the bar where the crime occurred. Ilie expressed shock at the scene and detailed the events leading up to the disposal of Cumali’s body. The search for Cumali’s remains at the landfill site marked a significant milestone in UK policing, with officers working tirelessly to bring closure to Cumali’s family. Ilie is set to be sentenced on Tuesday.