A £20,000 reward is being offered for information about the murder of a research scientist shot through his kitchen window 20 years ago.

Dr Michael Meenaghan was a lecturer at Oxford University’s Sir William Dunn School of Pathology when he was killed on December 10, 1994.

The 33-year-old’s murderer has never been caught and his mother Pat Meenaghan, 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 misshim.

“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 andmake contact with the police.”

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.”

Now Crimestoppers and Thames Valley Police have each offered £10,000 to anyone who can help solve the 20-year-old crime.

Our top stories

Dr Meenaghan was shot at 4.30pm at his home in Monks Close, Blackbird Leys, and despite dialling 999 he died of massive chest injuries before the police reached him. 

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111, or via a secure online form which can be found on the website crimestoppers-uk.org

Only information given to Crimestoppers will be eligible for the charity’s portion of the reward. 

The murder has been covered by cold case unit, the Major Crime Investigations Review Team. You can read our story on their work, including Dr Meenaghan's murder, here. 

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.