"Gentle and generous" grandfather of 15 killed in his Kettering home

He was found at about 6.30pm on Saturday, November 8, after police officers received a report regarding a concern for his welfare

71-year-old John Gerard Boyle
Author: Vicky HainesPublished 10th Nov 2025

Detectives continue to investigate the murder of a man in Kettering, believed to be 71-year-old John Gerard Boyle.

John, described by his family as a “gentle and generous soul whose love and kindness touched everyone who knew him”, was killed inside his flat in Leatherland Court, Kettering.

He was found at about 6.30pm on Saturday, November 8, after police officers received a report regarding a concern for his welfare.

A murder investigation was launched with four arrests made so far - two men aged 45 and 42, and two women aged 27 and 35. All four remain in police custody at this time.

Senior Investigating Officer - Detective Inspector Torie Harrison from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team said: “As you can see from the photo John’s family has released, he was a cheerful, much-loved man, and his family are understandably devastated by his death.

“Specially trained officers continue to support them, and we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible for his murder to justice.

“If you have any information, no matter how small, please come forward. We are particularly interested in anything from October 26 onwards - whether that’s suspicious activity in or around Leatherland Court, any pertinent CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage, or any conversations anyone had with John in the days leading up to his death.

“Finally, I just want to make it clear that we believe John’s murder to be completely unrelated to any other suspicious death we are investigating.”

John’s family said: “Our family is devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved father - John Boyle. He was not only a father of six and a proud grandfather of 15, he was a man whose love and kindness touched everyone who knew him.

“John was a gentle and generous soul who lived his life for his family. We are shattered that his life was taken from us in such a senseless act of violence. No words can capture the pain we feel, but we want everyone to remember him not for how he died, but for how he lived - with love, humility, and dedication to his family.

“We ask for privacy as we grieve and for justice to be served for our father. May his memory continue to shine to those who knew him and to live with the same kindness and integrity that defined his life.”

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