Police appeal for potential new witnesses to come forward

Do you recognise these 2 men?

Detectives re-investigating the murder of Ryan Passey, who was stabbed to death at a nightclub in Stourbridge in August 2017, have today released new images of two potential witnesses.

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 us with their findings last year.

Our 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.

As part of our review we have now identified these two men.

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.

“I would urge them or anyone who knows them to come forward, so we can speak to them.

“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.