‘My brother was murdered at a festival 40 years ago. His killer has never been caught’
The sister of the 22-year-old man killed at a festival in Liverpool 40 years ago is appealing for help to find his killer.
Jeffrey McNish was killed after being attacked by a group of men with cricket bats and stabbed three times at a festival in Toxteth on Saturday 10 August 1985.
Her sister, who was six at the time, told how her family’s “world was torn apart by her murder” as she appealed for more information about the attack.
“In August 1985, our world fell apart for the second time. Just a few months after losing our mother in May 1985, our older brother Jeffrey was murdered,” said his sister Kimberly.
Describing his last memories of his brother, the actor added: “My last memory of Jeffrey was in our kitchen at home. He told me that when he returned from where he went, he would change his last name to match mine.”
“I didn’t realize then that he would never come back.”
Jeffrey, from south London, had gone to the Toxteth Caribbean Festival to see his cousin and other members of the Saxon Sound System who were performing that weekend when a dispute between bands from Liverpool and London over entry fees turned violent.
Jeffrey was taken to hospital for treatment but died a week later at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Six people have been arrested in connection with Jeffrey’s death. While one man pleaded guilty to affray and another to perverting the course of justice, no one has ever been tried for the murder.
Kimberly added: “His murder left a lasting impact on our family. My father became overprotective and was afraid something terrible would happen to us. That fear never went away, especially since Jeffrey’s killer was never found. In 2017, my father passed away without knowing who was responsible.”
“We appeal to anyone who knows anything about what happened to Jeffrey. Please help us find justice for him after all these years. Our family has been living with this pain and unanswered questions for decades. We need answers and we need closure.”
Describing her sibling, Kimberly said: “The last Christmas I spent with him was in 1984. He surprised me with a huge Sindy House, pretending he was from Santa. He was such a sister, always thoughtful, always making me feel special.”
“To me, Jeffrey was always my fun older brother. I remember the first time he took me to the car wash. He warned me not to open the window, but of course I didn’t listen and I got soaked from laughing so hard.”
Asking for more information about Jeffrey’s death, Howard Rubbery, head of Merseyside Police’s serious crime investigation unit, said: “40 years after Jeffrey’s death there is no time limit on providing information. His sisters are still waiting for the answers they deserve.”
“We know there are people who were at the festival that weekend and know what happened. I’m asking those people to come forward and tell us what they know.
“Do you know who stabbed Jeffrey three times at the Caribbean Festival in Toxteth on Saturday, August 10, 1985?
“Any information you provide will be treated with care and sensitivity and we can take steps to protect anyone brave enough to come forward after all these years.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police by sending a direct message on social media @MerPolCC or by calling 101 quoting reference 25001000832. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the anonymous online reporting form.
