Two men arrested in Chelmsford murder investigation
45-year-old Cumali Turhan was last seen on Tuesday night.
Last updated 23rd Nov 2024
Update 11.40am Saturday 23rd November:
A man has been charged as part of the investigation into the disappearance Cumali Turhan in Chelmsford.
Investigators from the Essex Police serious crime directorate are continuing to piece together the circumstances around how Cumali went missing.
The 45-year-old was last seen just after midnight on Tuesday (19th November) when he was in The Globe pub on Rainsford Road.
Although officers have information to suggest he may have later been in Barista, in Duke Street.
Specialist search and forensic teams are focussing their efforts in a number of locations, including around the Duke Street area of Chelmsford and Barista specifically.
As part of their investigation, a 44-year-old man- who police have not named- was arrested and questioned on suspicion of murder.
This morning (Saturday November 23rd), 44-year-old Ciprian Ilie has been charged with assisting an offender and preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body.
He is due to appear in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who is leading the investigation, said: “We’re continuing to build a picture of the circumstances leading up to Cumali being reported as missing to us, including whether others have been involved.
“That work includes very focused forensic and search efforts in and around Chelmsford as well as reviewing many hours of CCTV footage.
“As part of this investigation, one man has now been charged.
"Today, our investigation will continue at pace and we will endeavour to keep our communities as well-informed as we possibly can.
“I would reiterate that I would still like to hear from anyone who may have information which may help our investigation.
“If you’ve seen Cumali in the early part of this week, or specifically in the Globe pub from around midnight on Monday into Tuesday, or in or near Barista in the early hours of the Tuesday, please contact us.”
Update 5pm Friday 22nd November:
Detectives are continuing to question a man on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of a man in Chelmsford.
As part of our investigation a 44-year-old man- who police haven't named- has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who is leading the investigation, said: “Cumali is still missing and we have teams of specially trained officers carrying out painstaking search activity to find him, as well as investigating CCTV and other lines of enquiry.
“He is being treated as a missing person but as part of our investigation a man is in custody having been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“We are building a picture of the circumstances which led up to Cumali’s disappearance, including the possible involvement of other people.
“However, we still need to hear from anyone who may have information which may help our investigation.
“I need anyone who may have seen him in The Globe pub around midnight from Monday into Tuesday, or in and around the area of Barista in the early hours of the Tuesday to contact us.
“I also need to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Duke Street area at around the same time.”