New evidence over 2017 nightclub stabbing reviewed

The family of a man stabbed to death in a nightclub have said they are still hoping for justice nine years on, after further fresh evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Ryan Passey was 24 when he died from a single wound to the heart during a night out at Chicago's in Stourbridge on 6 August 2017.

A man faced a trial the following year and although he admitted holding the knife as it hurt Passey, he denied murder, of which he was found not guilty. A subsequent civil case ruled that Passey had been unlawfully killed.

Passey's family were told in June that new evidence submitted by police to prosecutors in 2025 was not enough to bring charges, but further evidence had now been found and was currently being reviewed by the CPS.

Family friend Jason Connan said: "The campaign [Justice for Ryan] welcomes this significant progress, but we urge the CPS to make a timely decision so that Ryan's family are not left waiting any longer for the answers and accountability they deserve."

West Midlands Police confirmed to the BBC that further file evidence was submitted to the CPS earlier this year for consideration.

"We cannot imagine the pain and grief that Ryan's family have endured in the years since his tragic death in 2017," a force spokesperson added.

"As always, our thoughts remain with Ryan's family and all of those affected by his death."

It comes after the family launched legal action over a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) not to allow a retrial from the initial fresh evidence, submitted in 2025 two years after West Midlands Police re-opened the case.

They said they had felt let down by the criminal justice system and were seeking a judicial review of the decision.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Passey's family said they continued "to carry the unimaginable pain" of losing him every day.

"Nine years ago, Ryan lost his future. We lost our son. We lost birthdays, Christmases, family gatherings, milestones, memories and all the moments that should have been. Nothing can bring Ryan back," the statement added.

"We are still fighting. Not out of anger. Not out of bitterness. But out of love for Ryan, and because we believe truth, fairness, and accountability matters."

The family launched a legal challenge against the CPS earlier this year after the DPP ruled new evidence discovered in 2025 that was "previously unavailable at the original trial", did not justify new proceedings.

They said they believed the DPP's conclusion was "unreasonable".

"Alongside our grief, we have also lived with the belief that the full truth about how Ryan died has never been properly confronted," the statement said.

"We are asking for transparency, accountability, and the opportunity for the full truth now to be considered properly and openly by our courts."

A CPS spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with Ryan's family, whom the DPP met personally to provide a detailed explanation of his decision-making.

"We never hesitate to pursue cases under double jeopardy legislation when the legal tests are met, and will engage fully with any further proceedings in this case."

Connon said the family remained hopeful and the latest development was a "positive step forward".

"All they've ever wanted was the truth of what happened to Ryan that night to be known," he said.

At the murder trial in 2018, the accused Kobe Murray admitted stabbing Passey but said he had "pushed out" in defence during an altercation, not intending to pierce Passey with the knife he held.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court acquitted him of murder and manslaughter, but Passey's family later won a civil case against Murray in 2021 after successfully arguing Passey had been unlawfully killed.

Prompted by the family's concerns about the original investigation, West Yorkshire Police carried out an independent review, with West Midlands Police later agreeing to re-open the case in 2023.

Detectives uncovered new evidence which was referred to the CPS but was told the DPP "did not have sufficient grounds to quash the acquittal and lodge an application for a retrial".

Former Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb, who has been working closely with Passey's family, said the decision to submit further new evidence for a charging decision was a "significant milestone" and a welcome step forward.

The criminal justice system, she said, existed to uncover truth and "after nine long years, it is time for every agency entrusted with that responsibility to do exactly that".

"Ryan's family has waited long enough; it is time to just get on now and deliver it."

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