Police offer $500k reward for information on toddler Jordan Thompson's overdose death
Jordan Thomson was 21 months old when he was found dead at a house in Singleton in the NSW Hunter Valley. (Supplied: NSW Police)
In short:
Toddler Jordan Thompson died in 2005 with a toxic amount of an antidepressant drug in his system.
No-one has been convicted over his death, and NSW Police is now offering a $500,000 reward for information.
What's next?
Police want anyone with information on the toddler's death to contact Crime Stoppers.
A reward of $500,000 is now on offer for information about the death of a toddler in the NSW Hunter region more than 20 years ago.
Jordan Thompson was found facedown in a bath in a Singleton house in March 2005 after he was left in the care of his mother's then-partner.
A post-mortem examination found the 21-month-old had ingested a double adult dosage of Endep, a prescribed antidepressant medication.
NSW Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information relating to the death of Jordan Thompson. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Detective Inspector Paul Quigg has been working on the case since the beginning.
"He's a beautiful little boy, he had his life in front of him … and he couldn't defend himself at the end of the day," Detective Inspector Quigg said.
"If us, being police forces, can't stand up for those particular people, we shouldn't be doing our job."
Separate coronial inquests in 2008 and 2013 both reached the same conclusion: that Jordan's death was caused by drug toxicity.
"There is no doubt that the infant was deliberately administered this prescription drug, and that prescription drug is totally responsible for the little boy's death," Detective Inspector Quigg said.
No-one has been convicted over his death, despite police continuing to treat it as suspicious.
Cecil Kennedy, who was then the boyfriend of Jordan's mother, stood trial in 2023 and 2024.
Both juries were unable to reach unanimous verdicts.
The Crown spent several months weighing up its options before deciding there would not be a third trial.
Reward upped
A reward of $100,000 was offered in 2015.
Today, Police Minister Yasmin Catley addressed the media, saying it was hoped boosting the amount would compel people who know something to share it with authorities.
Yasmin Catley joined Hunter Valley detectives to announce the reward. (ABC Newcastle: Ross McLoughlin)
"My real plea to the community is if you know anything, as small as it may be, please come forward," she said.
"It just may be that piece of the puzzle that will help us find the real truth behind Jordan's death.
"We all want the truth and to know what happened to darling little Jordan".
In a statement, Jordan's mother, Bernice Swales, welcomed the increase.
"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," she said.
"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."
Tough time of year for family
Detective Inspector Quigg's voice wavered as he explained the situation confronting Jordan's mother.
"This the 21st Chrismtas Bernice will be without her son," he said.
"It's supposed to be a happy time of year."
Paul Quigg has formed close relationships with the little boy's family members over 20 years. (ABC Newcastle: Ross McLoughlin)
Jordan's father died in 2024.
"It's always stuck in the back of my mind that I never got that closure for him," Detective Inspector Quigg said.
"Someone's got information.
"From the heart I'm asking that person to come forward and give us that information … We're never going to give up on this."
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.