Detectives re-investigating the murder of Ryan Passey, who was stabbed at a nightclub in Stourbridge in 2017, have renewed their appeal for help in finding a potential witness.
In an appeal on Monday (February 5), police said they had identified two men who were outside Chicago's nightclub on the evening of the attack and who they believe may hold information that is important to the enquiry.
Officers said there were more than 600 people at the club on the night and while "a large number came forward, many didn’t."
West Midlands Police have since identified and spoken to one of the men in the CCTV, but are re-issuing the images in the hope of identifying the second man.
Det Insp Jim Church, leading the reinvestigation, said: “I want to be really clear that the men in the images are witnesses.
"Although we don’t believe they witnessed the stabbing itself they may hold information that is now important to our enquiry.
“We believe they were outside Chicago’s on the evening of the attack, but did not go inside and instead left the area after waiting in the queue.
“Our focus is on Ryan’s family and we will continue to work with them as that investigation progresses.”
Ryan was enjoying a night out with friends after playing at a local football match when he was stabbed inside Chicago’s nightclub in August 2017.
Ryan, aged 24, was rushed to hospital but sadly passed away soon after. He died of a single stab wound to the chest.
Kobe Murray, who was 19 at the time, was charged with Ryan’s murder but a jury found him not guilty of murder and manslaughter, at a trial in February, 2018.
In 2022, West Yorkshire Police agreed to carry out an independent review of West Midlands Police's investigation and the trial into Ryan’s tragic death, and presented their findings last year.
West Midlands Police homicide officers have been assessing this review and accepted all 18 recommendations to determine the next steps.
Ryan’s family said: “Six years on and we are still here fighting for Justice for Ryan, a fight we hope no other parent and family will ever have to go through.
“Justice for Ryan will continue to work with the new team of detectives at West Midlands Police who are re-investigating Ryan’s murder.
“We urge anyone who has information or has kept silent thus far to come forward and speak to the Police, so that the real truth and full details of what happened to Ryan can be revealed.”
Anyone with information to help the investigation has been asked to get in touch via 101 or Live Chat on the website, quoting log 2313 of 20 July, 2023.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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