Fresh Appeal To Solve 1994 Murder Of Michael Meenaghan

10 December 2014, 17:08 | Updated: 10 December 2014, 17:12

It's exactly twenty years since a man was murdered in Blackbird Leys in Oxford, and police are making a fresh appeal for help to solve the case.

Just before 4.30pm on 10 December 1994 a 999 call to police was made from the home of Dr Meenaghan, a 33-year-old research scientist, in Monks Close, Blackbird Leys.

No speech could be heard however someone struggling to breathe was heard in the background.

Officers attended the property and found Dr Meenaghan. He had been shot and died from his injuries.

The investigation concluded that a shotgun was fired through a kitchen window at the rear of the house.

Despite extensive enquiries, the murder remains undetected and continues to be investigated by the Major Crime Investigations Review Team.

A £10,000 reward is being offered by Thames Valley Police for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the offender and a reward of up to £10,000 is being offered by independent charity Crimestoppers, also for information leading to a conviction of the offender.

Principal investigator Peter Beirne, from the Major Crime Investigation Review Team, said:

"Today on the anniversary of Michael?s death I am appealing to anyone who has any information about the offender, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, to come forward and speak to the police.

"Possible motives explored over the years have suggested links to Dr Meenaghan's private life, or to his work, or to a case of mistaken identity.

"However there has been a lack of evidence leading to any conclusive motive and we have to keep an open mind as to what that is.

"If you know the identity of the offender  or have any information that you think may assist please call us."

Michael?s mother Pat Meenaghan, who is now aged 82, said:

"It is now 20 years since Michael, my only child, was murdered. His death is always with me and there is not a day goes by when I don't miss him.

"We still don't know why someone would be so callous as to take his life and rob the world of a lovely man and a gifted scientist. Twenty years is a long time to wait for answers.

"There must be people out there that know something and could help ease the stress of not knowing why this happened to my boy.

"I would ask that people who do know something, search their conscience and make contact with the police."

If you have any information which could assist the investigation, please call the 24-hour enquiry Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via a secure online form which can be found on the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Only information give to Crimestoppers will be eligible for the Crimestoppers portion of the reward.