“Family’s Long Wait: Renewed Appeal as Chef Remains Missing After 20 Years”

Police are renewing an appeal for information into the disappearance of a Sydney man 20 years ago, with his family still “waiting for answers”.

Chef Simon Knight, 32, was last seen at a hotel on Crown Street, Surry Hills on the morning of Thursday, July 21, 2005.

When Knight, from nearby Redfern, didn’t arrive for his shift at a café in Newtown later that day, he was reported missing.

A second coronial inquest in 2015 found it was likely he was dead.

But a body has never been found

Now, a fresh appeal for help has been made.

Simon’s father, Bob Knight said although it has been 20 years disappearance, they are hoping for a breakthrough.

“Our family are still waiting, hoping one day we will get answers and closure,” Knight sasid.

“So please if you know anything, please get in touch with the police or CrimeStoppers.”

In 2020, Knight said his son “wouldn’t just disappear”.

“It’s hard on all the family, his brother and sister, everyone suffered,” he said.

At the time, police said he “basically just disappeared of the face of the earth.”

Simon was described as being white, 183cm tall, with blue eyes, a fair complexion, red hair and facial hair.

When he was last seen, it is believed he was wearing a dark green T-shirt and jeans.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said Simon’s family needed answers.

“Losing a loved one is devastating, but the not knowing makes the loss so much harder,” Catley said.

South Sydney Police Area Commander Acting Superintendent Christopher Hill said police believe there is someone out there that knows something.

Police want to speak to anyone who lived around or went to Crown and Oxford streets, Surry Hills, in July 2005, especially if they knew Simon.

“To support this search for answers, anyone who may have held onto information since Simon’s disappearance, is urged to come forward,” Acting Supt Hill said.

“Any piece of new information – no matter how seemingly insignificant – could be the key to solve this case and help provide much-needed answers to Simon’s family about what happened to him.”