Huge reward offered for information about the killer of Sydney taxi driver William Anthony Rogers

Police are offering a huge reward to find the killer of Sydney taxi driver William Anthony Rogers, who was found dead in his cab 36 years ago.

A $500,000 reward has been offered to find the killer of a Sydney taxi driver who was found murdered in his cab 36 years ago.

William Anthony Rogers, 36, was two hours from finishing a 12-hour shift when he activated the taxi’s radio safety button about 1.15am on October 4, 1988.

When police arrived on Park Lane near Alma St in Ashfield they found Mr Rogers dead inside his cab with a gunshot wound to his torso just after 1.15am.

The taxi had rolled back into a fence with the motor off and the taxi sign indicating the cab was engaged.

Sydney taxi driver William Anthony Rogers was found dead inside his cab with a gunshot wound at Ashfield in October, 1988.

The pay meter inside the car showed an amount of $10.70 and the automatic gear stick was in first gear with the parking brake off.

Hours earlier he dropped his wife off at a health clinic and had a short break at his Rhodes home before he went back to work.

Witnesses told police they had seen a man shake and kick the driver before he fled the scene.

The man was described in his 20s, between 180cm to 185 cm tall with a slim build and dark collar-length hair.

He was wearing light coloured jeans with a matching jacket and a western style long sleeve shirt.

In 1991, a coronial inquest into Mr Rogers death found another person inflicted his wounds.

Despite several investigations and a review three years ago, no one has ever been charged with Mr Rogers murder.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty speaks at a press conference in relation taxi driver William Rogers who was robbed and murdered in Ashfield in 1988.

The Unsolved Homicide Squad commenced Strike Force Crag to reinvestigate the case in March 2023.

Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said Mr Rogers was simply doing his job when he was murdered in cold blood.

“The Homicide Squad are committed to finding justice for William Anthony Rogers, who was tragically killed while working hard to support his loved ones,” he said.

“His murder was a callous and cowardly act.”

The commander said there were people who could be holding onto a dark secret or who had heard information some time ago or who knew the identity of the killer.

“They may have had links or relationships which have now changed over 36 years, and that happens over the passage of time, so people are more confident to come forward and feel safer to come forward and that is what we are hoping for,” he said.

“William deserved to come home safely after his shift, and today his family deserve the answers we hope this $500,000 can help us achieve.

“Anyone with information, no matter how small, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Madeline Rogers pleaded for anyone with information about her brother’s death to come forward.

Mr Rogers’ heartbroken sister Madeline told reporters after 36 years the family still did not have any answers about her brother’s death.

“He was a big brother, it was devastating his loss,” she said.

“He was the only surviving male member of our family … We just really enjoyed having him as a brother, and it left a really great hole when he was gone, it really did.

“He was good to his friends, people enjoyed his company, he was just wonderful and we’re sorry he’s gone, and we’re sorry we still don’t know what happened.

“Hopefully we can get some answers as a result of this.”

Madeline Rogers told reporters after 36 years the family still did not have any answers about her brother’s death.

Ms Rogers said her brother lived a full but short life and was very important to their family, pleading for anyone with information about his death to come forward.

“If anyone has any information about what happened to William, any little thing at all, then they can help us to find some peace around the loss of our brother, an important member of our family, please contact the police,” she said.

“They have offered a very generous reward in an attempt to solve this long standing crime.

“Your help could bring this to a close, please contact the police, please.”