The NSW Government and NSW Police Force are announcing a $1 million reward for information relating to the suspected murder of Mahmoud Sleiman, who disappeared more than 23 years ago.
Mahmoud Sleiman, then aged 24, was last seen outside his home at Greystanes about 7.30am on Sunday 2 February 2003. At the time he was see speaking with a man in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, before he entered the vehicle and was driven away.
When he failed to return home, family members reported him missing later that day. It was also reported that when they called his mobile phone later that night, they believed they could hear a man screaming before the call ended.
Detectives attached to Task Force Gain investigated the disappearance, with inquiries indicating Mahmoud Sleiman may have fallen victim to organised criminal activity.
As investigations continued, police pursued numerous lines of inquiry and conducted extensive searches, including examinations of bushland at Moxham Reserve in Northmead and sections of the Parramatta River near Northmead in February 2004.
Investigators received information that Mahmoud Sleiman had been involved in disputes with criminal rivals prior to his disappearance, and detectives have long held concerns that he was killed shortly after he was last seen.
On Tuesday 5 June 2007, a coronial inquest was conducted at Westmead Coroners Court. The NSW Deputy State Coroner found Mahmoud Sleiman was deceased, likely from Sunday 2 February 2003, but was unable to determine the cause of his death other than finding it suspicious.
Following the inquest, the matter was referred for ongoing investigation by the State Crime Command’s Unsolved Homicide Unit under Strike Force Motoren.
Despite extensive inquiries over two decades, no person has been charged, and Mahmoud Sleiman’s body has never been located.
As part of ongoing inquiries, police have today announced a $1,000,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons responsible for Mahmoud’s disappearance or death.
