Police search Essex landfill site in major murder investigation update
One suspect has been charged while another has fled the country
Essex Police have issued a major update in an ongoing murder investigation, over a week after a man was reported missing from Chelmsford.
Cumali Turhan was last heard from just after midnight last Tuesday, when he was in The Globe pub on Rainsford Road.
On the evening of Tuesday 19 November police received reports that Cumali was missing after he didn’t arrive at work.
Police say that enquiries soon established serious concerns for his welfare.
Officers have information to suggest that he then went to Barista, in Duke Street.
As part of the investigation a man was arrested.
Ciprian Illie, 44, of no fixed address, has been charged with assisting an offender (murder) and preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body.
He was remanded into custody and will appear at the Crown Court next month.
A second man has been identified as a suspect, who police say left the country on the day of Cumali’s disappearance.
We're told work is ongoing to locate him.
The force has focused forensic work on several locations, including the Duke Street area of Chelmsford and Barista specifically.
They are now searching a refuse transfer site in the Chelmsford area.
In a statement released today, Detective Superintendent Ash Howard said:
"This specialised search activity will involve teams of officers working every day in a very challenging environment.
We’ve identified an area of 5,000 square metres on the site where our search activity will be focused.
We want to thank the owners of the site for their patience and understanding while this vital work is undertaken.
It is methodical work which will take time and we will not rush it.
We’re committed to finding answers for Cumali’s family.
We understand that this investigation will be very concerning for the local community in Chelmsford, and especially the city’s Turkish community.
We want to thank people from across this community for coming forward to speak to us and assisting with our investigation.
We still want more people to come forward.
You will see our officers in the area, and I would urge people to come and speak to us.
We are also sharing our appeals and up to date information in Turkish on our website.
I would ask that people refrain from speculation on social media at this time.
There is a missing man at the heart of this investigation.
This is a very distressing time for his loved ones.
We will provide updates when we can."