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The family of a Stoke-on-Trent cabbie murdered exactly 29 years ago have released a new photo as a police continue efforts to trace his killer.

Detectives are carrying out 'periodic reviews' of Stoke-on-Trent's oldest unsolved murder in the hope of finally finding the mystery knifeman who slashed Steven Johnson's neck.

And to mark the anniversary, Steven's loved-ones have released a smiling photo of him taken not long before his life ended in the cruelest of ways in the early hours of December 22, 1990.

Steven's body was found face down by a dog walker four hours in Mow Cop .

But, despite a huge police manhunt and repeated appeals for information the 25-year-old father-of-two’s killer has never been found.

Over the years Staffordshire Police have questioned dozens of people and revisited the evidence as scientific advances are made to see if any new leads emerge

The last suspect was arrested in 2014 in what was described as a major breakthrough at the time but after five months on bail he was released with no further action.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman today said: “The case remains open and is subject to a periodical review to identify any investigative opportunities to identify Steven's killer."



Steven, an insurance salesman who worked part-time as a taxi driver, was earning some extra Christmas cash for his young family at the time of his death.

He was described as a 6ft 4in gentle giant who would never have picked an argument or provoked a violent confrontation with a customer.

Steven was last heard from after picking up a fare in Hanley Road, Hanley , at 3.30am and was heading for Packmoor .

His mutilated body was found on a snow-covered farm track off Castle Road, Mow Cop, four hours later.

Steven had managed to stagger 20 yards in a bid for help before bleeding to death from horrific wounds to his neck.

The motive for his killing was never established and the deceased’s takings for the night were still in his cab.

Steven, of Melville Street, Hanley, left his 22-year-old wife Kathleen and daughters Roxanne, aged three, and two-year-old Deborah.

Following his murder, many taxi drivers quit the night shift amid fears the cold-blooded killer could strike again.

London-style taxis were introduced with screens to protect drivers from passengers.

But even major breakthroughs in fingerprint and DNA technology during the past decade have not led police to the culprit.

Police believe someone in the area could still have vital information on the killer’s identity.

It is thought he may have made throwaway comments to people years after his evil deed and urge anyone with suspicions to come forward.

In an emotional appeal on the 10th anniversary of Steven's murder in 2000, his widow Kath said: "I think someone is shielding the person who did this. That's unfair on Steven's two daughters Debbie and Roxanne and on his parents.

"He was the only son they had. If someone knows something they should phone up and give them in."

His parents also made an appeal for information.

The couple, who were living in the Staffordshire Moorlands at the time, said the death of their only child was a devastating blow from which they have never fully recovered.

Dad Ken said: "Steven was a son who would do anything for anyone.

"He would never do anything against anyone. He was easy-going and very obliging, too much sometimes, and did the best he could for everyone. We've had so much taken away and nothing that anyone does now can ever bring him back."



Anyone with information should call Staffordshire Police on 101 alternatively Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Time Line Timeline of Steven Johnson's murder and the investigation that followed December 22, 1990: A major police investigation is launched after Steven Johnson’s body is found on a farm track at Mow Cop. June 1991: Police release an artist’s impression of blood-stained man who was spotted in Kidsgrove on the morning of the murder. He is never traced. December 1991: On the anniversary of his death, Mr Johnson’s parents Ken and Pat appeal for information. July 1995: A man is questioned about Steven’s murder after a taxi driver is robbed at knifepoint in Packmoor. July 1997: A suspect is arrested in London. Police later release him without charge. December 2000: A decade on, Steven’s widow Kathleen issues a new plea for help in catching the killer. December 2005: Steven’s former employer Geoff Scragg offers a £5,000 reward for help to catch the murderer. December 2010: Police begin a major review of case. June 2014: Police make a third arrest in the hunt for Steven’s murderer. October 2014: Detectives reveal they are taking no further action against a 49-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent after he spent five months on bail. December 2018: Police make a fresh appeal over Steven's murder.

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