A $500,000 reward has been announced in a renewed bid to uncover the truth behind the suspicious death of toddler Jordan William Thompson in the New South Wales Hunter region two decades ago.
Jordan was 21 months old when his mother, Bernice Swales, left him in the care of her then-partner while she ran errands on March 19, 2005.
When she returned, the child was unresponsive in the lounge room.
Swales took him to Singleton Base Hospital, but he could not be revived.
Police were initially told Jordan had been found face down in the bathtub. However, a post-mortem later revealed a lethal dose of a prescription antidepressant in his system.
Despite a $100,000 reward issued in 2015, no one has ever been convicted over Jordan’s death.
Detectives continue to treat the matter as suspicious, and investigators hope the new $500,000 reward from the NSW Government will prompt someone to come forward with crucial information.
“I would firstly like to thank the NSW government in granting this reward to assist the police who are investigating the death of my son, Jordan Thompson,” Swales said.
“I firmly believe there are members of the community who possess vital information in relation to the death of my son and these persons have kept this secret for over twenty years for whatever reason.
“Jordan’s father, Paul Thompson, passed away last year and never got a chance to see justice. I am hoping this reward will reach the conscience of a person in the community who has not previously come forward so I can obtain justice and some form of closure.”
Lead investigator Detective Inspector Paul Quigg welcomed the announcement.
“I have led this investigation for more than twenty years and believe that there are members of community who have information about the death of Jordan,” he said.
“Today we are appealing to anyone with information on Jordan’s death to come forward and assist investigators. If you have any information that may help us, please do the right thing, and come forward. His family deserves answers and need to obtain closure in this matter.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley also urged the public to help.
“This is a heartbreaking case. Jordan was just 21 months old when his life was tragically cut short and his family has lived with unanswered questions for two decades,” she said.
“Jordan’s loved ones deserve answers, and the community deserves to see justice served. If you know something, no matter how small it may seem, now is the time to speak up.”
The reward of up to $500,000 will be paid for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or on 1800 333 000.
Images: NSW Police
