Ryan Passey: New witnesses identified after 2017 nightclub murder

Ryan Passey was stabbed in a nightclub in 2017

Detectives investigating the murder of a man at a nightclub more than six years ago have appealed for two witnesses to come forward.

New images have been released by West Midlands Police, which relaunched its inquiries into Ryan Passey's fatal stabbing last year.

A total of 600 people were at the Chicago nightclub in Stourbridge when Mr Passey was killed in August 2017.

A man was charged with his murder but a jury cleared him at a trial in 2018.

New police inquiries were prompted by an independent review of the case by West Yorkshire Police in 2022.

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

On Monday, officers said they were issuing new photos after accepting 18 recommendations in the review, the report on which was released last year.

Images of two male witnesses have been released

Det Insp Jim Church, leading the re-investigation, 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 inquiry.

"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."

Det Insp Church added the force's focus was on getting justice for Mr Passey's family and urged the people in the photos or anyone who knows them to come forward.

The men or anyone who knows them are being asked to come forward

Mr Passey, 24, had been enjoying a night out with friends after playing at a local football match before he was fatally wounded.

At a trial in 2018, Kobe Murray, 19, admitted stabbing Mr Passey, but said it was unintentional.

He was acquitted after a jury found him not guilty of both murder and manslaughter.

'Reveal real truth'

Mr Passey's relatives have since become passionate campaigners for justice.

In a new statement issued Monday they 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."