The NSW Government and NSW Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information regarding the stabbing murder of Jonathan Mitchell 21 years ago.
About 12.15am on Sunday 7 December 2003, officers attached to Parramatta Police Area Command were called to a home on Bryson Street in Toongabbie following reports of a stabbing.
On arrival, police found the body of 28-year-old Jonathan Mitchell in the kitchen of the home with fatal stab wounds to his neck.
Police were told Jonathan had spent Saturday at Homebake music festival in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, before leaving early and meeting his brother at the Pendle Inn in Pendle Hill.
He would have been home around 7pm.
A cricket bat, believed to have been used to assault Jonathan, was found in a gutter near the house.
Detectives attached to Parramatta Police Area Command established Strike Force Mundego to investigate.
Despite extensive inquiries, no one has been charged in relation to the murder.
In 2008 the matter went to inquest, where the Coroner concluded Jonathan Mitchell died by stab wounds inflicted by a person or persons unknown to him.
The matter was referred to State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad Unsolved Homicide Team in 2008.
In 2009, a $100,000 reward was announced, which today (Friday 6 December 2024), is being upgraded to $500,000.
Commander of State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said police haven’t given up in finding answers for the Mitchell family.
“Police believe this tragic murder may have been a case of mistaken identity and we believe there is someone out there that holds crucial information that could help us solve this case,” Det Supt Doherty said.
"The pain of losing a loved one in such a cruel manner never fades, and our dedication to solving this case remains as strong as it was 21 years ago.
“For the family who has spent 21 years to the day in anguish, every piece of information, no matter how small, can make a monumental difference.”
Do you have information that can help police with this case?
Any information you have about this is worth giving to police, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
You can provide information to police via any of the methods below:
- Call Crime Stoppers any time on 1800 333 000
- Report information to Crime Stoppers any time via this site's secure online form
- Visit or call your local Police Station
Any information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Your help may give police the clue they need to close this case and provide some comfort for the families of victims.
How to claim your reward
- Contact Crime Stoppers or your local Police Station.
- Identify yourself and indicate you have information about a crime and that you wish to claim a reward.
- You will then be put in contact with a police officer involved in the investigation of that case.