Police issue fresh appeal for witnesses after the murder of Ryan Passey
It is seven years since he died.
West Midlands Police are appealing for information seven years to the day since the murder of Ryan Passey.
They are appealing for a taxi driver who may have information to come forward.
The driver of a Beacon Taxis car who was working on the night of 5 August into the 6 August.
He picked up a young, white man near to the side entrance of Dudley Fire Station on the A459 Burton Road at around 1.10am, a few minutes after Ryan was stabbed.
The passenger, who is a witness and has already been spoken to by officers, had booked the car to take him to a location near to the centre of Sedgley.
Ryan who was 24 years old, was stabbed once in the chest inside Chicago’s nightclub just before 1am on 6 August, 2017.
A 19-year-old man was charged with Ryan’s murder but a jury found him not guilty at a trial in February, 2018.
Today Det Supt Shaun Edwards, head of our Homicide team, said: “As the driver, you may not have felt there was anything unusual or different about this journey, but the information you have could be really important to the investigation.
“We believe you may have important information about the night’s events, and so it’s important we hear from you.
“We have been liaising with Beacon Taxis, but given the passage of time, records from the night are not available.
“Our commitment to get justice for Ryan and his family is absolute, so I’d appeal for you to help us do that and get in touch.”
Today Ryan’s family said: “Seven years ago today, our world was shattered into a million pieces and to this day we continue to suffer severe trauma and distress knowing the person who admitted to stabbing our Ryan remains a free person to live his life without any consequences for his actions back in 2017.
“Ryan’s family support this appeal by the police to identify this taxi driver who could have significant information that will assist in us getting justice for Ryan.
“We would urge him to come forward or if you think you may know the driver to please contact West Midlands Police.
“Unfortunately owing to the passage of time it will be almost impossible to trace him without the public’s help.
“This line of enquiry is significant in West Midlands Police re-investigation.”