Reward for information into 2003 murder of Jonathan Mitchell increased to $500,000 - Strike Force Mundego
Friday, 06 December 2024 01:42:31 PM
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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.”
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.