Murder probe reopened into Ryan Passey nightclub stabbing

Ryan Passey died in 2017 while on a night out in Stourbridge

Police have reopened a murder investigation into the fatal stabbing of a man at a nightclub in 2017.

Ryan Passey, 24, died from a single wound to the heart during a night out at Chicago's in Stourbridge, Dudley.

A man, 19, was charged with murder but was found not guilty at a 2018 trial.

Following an independent review into its handling of the case, West Midlands Police said it had accepted 18 recommendations and relaunched its inquiry.

The review by the West Yorkshire force followed concerns raised by Mr Passey's family over the original investigation.

The findings of the review, conducted last year, were presented to West Midlands Police and Mr Passey's family in June, although the findings were not publicly revealed.

Earlier this month, however, it emerged that some of the recommendations focused on the force itself, while others centred on "new lines of inquiry or opportunities afforded owing to advances in investigation methods".

Det Supt Shaun Edwards of West Midlands Police said: "We will be following up all of the recommendations made in the independent review as part of our re-investigation."

He added officers would liaise with Mr Passey's family as the investigation progressed.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact police.

Ryan Passey's family are "extremely positive" about the new investigation

In the 2018 criminal trial, acquitted defendant Kobe Murray admitted stabbing Mr Passey but argued it was unintentional.

In 2021, the family won a civil case against Mr Murray and were awarded almost £10,000 in damages.

They have campaigned for the right to challenge and appeal jury verdicts after acquittals in serious criminal cases.

Jason Connon, a campaigner and family friend, told BBC WM: "The last six years have been extremely difficult and painful for Ryan's parents and family.

"We are extremely positive regarding the new investigation."