# One Million Dollar Reward Offered in 2003 Cold Case Murder

Authorities seek new leads in the two-decade-old disappearance of Sydney father Mahmoud Sleiman.

- **Source:** [PerthNow](https://www.perthnow.com.au)
- **Published:** 2026-11-10
- **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics)
- **Original article:** <https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/crime/1m-reward-offered-over-2003-disappearance-and-suspected-murder-mahmoud-sleiman-c-23145061>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4ef10557-af5a-4a65-8563-330956db59b1

## Two Decades of Silence

Mahmoud Sleiman was 24 when he vanished from his Greystanes home on February 2, 2003. Last seen entering a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, he never returned to his family. Despite extensive investigations over twenty years, his body remains missing, leaving a cold case that has long baffled New South Wales detectives.

## The Final Phone Call

On the night of his disappearance, Sleiman’s family attempted to contact him via his mobile phone. During the call, they reported hearing a man screaming before the line was abruptly disconnected. This chilling detail remains one of the few pieces of immediate evidence from the night he was last seen alive.

## Organized Crime Connection

Investigators suspect Sleiman, a known drug dealer, was lured to his death by criminal rivals seeking to seize his business. Strike Force Gain previously led the search, focusing on potential motives involving territory disputes. Authorities now believe he was killed shortly after being driven away from his residence that morning.

## Extensive Field Searches

In February 2004, police conducted exhaustive searches in an attempt to locate remains. Operations included scouring the bushland at Moxham Reserve in Northmead and diving into sections of the Parramatta River near the Church Street Bridge. Despite these tactical efforts, no physical evidence or trace of the victim was recovered.

## Coronial Inquest Findings

A 2007 coronial inquest officially ruled that Sleiman was dead, concluding he was likely killed on the day he disappeared. While the Deputy State Coroner deemed the circumstances suspicious, the exact cause of death could not be determined. The legal ruling confirmed the transition of the case into a homicide investigation.

## New Investigative Momentum

The State Crime Command’s Unsolved Homicide Unit has taken over the case under Strike Force Motoren. This specialized team is now spearheading the effort to break the long-standing stalemate. By introducing a $1 million reward, police aim to incentivize witnesses who may have withheld information due to fear or loyalty.

## Public Appeal for Answers

Sleiman’s partner, Jody Swift, and his son, Billy, are joining detectives to make a public plea for information. Their involvement highlights the enduring personal toll of the unsolved crime. Authorities hope that after twenty years, shifting allegiances within criminal circles might finally encourage someone to come forward with vital details.

## Seeking Final Resolution

The reward serves as a strategic tool to uncover the truth behind a case that has remained stagnant for over two decades. With no charges filed to date, the investigation relies on new testimony to provide closure for the family. The outcome now depends on whether the financial incentive yields actionable intelligence.

## Sources covering this story

- [PerthNow — $1 Million Reward Offered for 2003 Sydney Cold Case Murder](https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/crime/1m-reward-offered-over-2003-disappearance-and-suspected-murder-mahmoud-sleiman-c-23145061)
- [ABC Australia – Just In — Police Offer $1M Reward for Missing Man Suspected of Murder](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-11/nsw-one-million-reward-mahmoud-sleiman-missing-organised-crime/107371254)

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
