Police find murder witness after nightclub stabbing in 2017
They're now appealing for a second witness.
Detectives re-investigating the murder of Ryan Passey, who was stabbed to death at a nightclub in Stourbridge in August 2017, have renewed their appeal for help in finding a potential witness.
As part of a review, they identified two men who were seen on CCTV and were outside Chicago's on the night of the attack.
As a result of issuing their images earlier this week, one man has been identified and has spoken to police.
Police are still trying to identify a second witness.
Ryan was enjoying a night out with friends after playing at a local football match when he was stabbed inside Chicago’s nightclub.
Ryan, aged 24, was rushed to hospital but sadly passed away soon after. He died of a single stab wound to the chest.
A 19-year-old man was charged with Ryan’s murder but a jury found him not guilty at a trial in February, 2018.
In 2022, West Yorkshire Police agreed to carry out an independent review of our investigation and the trial into Ryan’s tragic death, and presented West Midlands Police with their findings last year.
Homicide officers have been assessing this review and accepted all 18 recommendations to determine the next steps.
There were more than 600 people at Chicago’s on the night, and while a large number came forward, many didn’t.
Det Insp Jim Church, leading the reinvestigation, said: “I want to be really clear that this man is a potential witness.
"Although we don’t believe he witnessed the stabbing itself he may hold information that is now important to our enquiry.
“Our focus is on Ryan’s family and we will continue to work with them as that investigation progresses.”
Ryan’s family said today: “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 our website, quoting log 2313 of 20 July, 2023.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.