Family mourn ‘kind’ grandfather-of-15 killed in his own flat

Friends of a ‘lovely’ grandfather-of-15 have paid tribute to after he was killed in his flat.

John Gerard Boyle, 71, was found dead by police officers responding to fears for his welfare at his Kettering home on Saturday night.

Two men aged 45 and 42, and two women aged 27 and 35 have been arrested so far, and they currently remain in police custody.

Angela Barberini came to know Mr Boyle when she was receiving cancer treatment at hospital and he would come round serving all the patients tea and biscuits.

She told Metro: ‘I can’t get my head around why anyone would do such a thing to John as he was such a lovely and kind person who wouldn’t hurt anyone.

‘My heart goes out to his family all he did was talk about his family and his grandchildren.’

‘He will always be my heart.

‘I would go to the hospital two or three times a week and there was a man doing tea and coffee who got friendly with me.

The friendly man was John and they decided to meet up occasionally for drinks outside of the hospital.

‘He always used to talk about his kids and grandkids, that was his world.’

‘I just don’t understand it, he didn’t deserve anything like this,’ she said, crying.

John’s family, who are being supported by officers, 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.

‘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.’

DI Torie Harrison 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.’

Police are calling for anyone with any information to come forward, specifically with anything from October 26 onwards in or around Leatherland Court.

They have also clarified that John’s murder is ‘completely unrelated’ to any other suspicious death investigated by the force.

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