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Police hunt for missing man as murder fears grow

Essex Police Cumali Turhan, who has black hair swept to one side and a greying, black beard. He is wearing a black jacket and appears to be sat in front of an aquarium display.Essex Police
Cumali Turhan has not been heard from since the early hours of Tuesday

Police have issued an image of a missing man they believe could have been murdered after leaving a pub.

Cumali Turhan, 45, was last heard from when he was in The Globe, in Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

Essex Police said they believed he may have later visited city centre venue Barista, in Duke Street.

A body has not been found, but the force said a 44-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with Mr Turhan's disappearance.

Police said the suspect was being questioned on Friday as specialist search and forensic teams continued their efforts.

John Fairhall/BBC A police officer stands in front of black screens and a police car at the Barista venue, which has a black canopy and green banner across its entrance. It is based on a busy city street scene.John Fairhall/BBC
Police have been carrying out inquiries at Barista throughout Friday

Det Ch Insp Louise Metcalfe said officers were building a picture of the circumstances which led to Mr Turhan's disappearance, including the possible involvement of other people.

"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," she said.

"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."

Det Ch Insp Metcalfe said she wanted anyone who saw "anything suspicious" in Duke Street in the early hours of Tuesday to get in touch.

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