Thomas Boyle

Unsolved Murders

Age: 57

Sex: male

Date: 23 Aug 1984

Place: Crown Street, Acton

Thomas Boyle died after being force to drink amyl nitrate.

He was found dead on waste ground in Crown Street, Acton on 23 August 1984, the day before he was due to retire.

He had lived in Victoria House, Becklow Street, Shepherds Bush and had been a churchgoer, but was said to have lived a double life.

His inquest in November 1985 returned a verdict of unlawful killing.

Following his death, his cash card had been used to buy things, however, it wasn't known whether the card was taken by his killer or whether he had been robbed after being found dead.

A detective said that Thomas Boyle had led a double life, saying:

Mr Boyle seemed to take a fair amount of time and trouble to keep those two lives separate.

He had been due to retire early due to ill health.

A life-long friend of his who lived in Bulwer Street, Shepherds Bush, said that Thomas Boyle was cheerfully talking about his retirement when he left her to return to his hostel on the night of the murder. She said that she knew nothing of his irregular acquaintances and that he never discussed his personal life.

Thomas Boyle was last seen just after 8pm by a woman that had lived in Alfred Road, Acton, who knew him from Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church.

A forensic scientist said that he was aware of only one other death by amyl nitrate, and that that had been in America. He said:

I would be very surprised if anyone was to drink it voluntarily.

He described it as a foul-smelling substance that would have tasted unpleasant.

When the Coroner recorded the verdict, he said:

This is the very sad case of a man who had many friends in his normal life. Another part of his life was unknown to them. He did have a number of casual acquaintances and it does happen occasionally that if you meet people in this manner you can fall into the hands of someone who wishes to act improperly.

He added that evidence indicated that amyl nitrate had been jostled and possibly kicked in a house and probably when not fully clothed. He added:

The drug would not have been taken voluntarily.

*map pointers are rough estimates based on known location details as per Place field above.

see www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

see Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Gazette - Friday 22 November 1985