The Lost and the Found

https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/57814?nav



Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP57814Male, Multiple
Date Body Found
December 4, 1982
Location Found
Boise, Idaho
Estimated Age Range
35-45 Years

Case Information
Case Numbers
NCMEC Number
--
ME/C Case Number
431-82

Demographics
Sex
Male
Race / Ethnicity
White / Caucasian, Other
Possible First Name
William
Possible Middle Name
L.
Possible Last Name
Toomey
Possible Nickname
--
Estimated Age Group
Adult - Pre 50
Estimated Age Range (Years)
35-45
Estimated Year of Death
1982
Estimated PMI
--
Height
6' 0"(72 inches) , Measured
Weight
175 lbs, Estimated

Circumstances
Type
Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found
December 4, 1982
NamUs Case Created
June 6, 2019
ME/C QA Reviewed
--
Location Found Map
Location
Boise, Idaho
County
Ada County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)
--
Circumstances of Recovery
Died at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho. Toxicology tests found cyanide in the man’s blood. The body was located with a suicide note and instructions to be cremated, signed in the name of “Wm. L. Toomey” but no other identification was located. All leads to connect the name to the deceased turned up negative.
Details of Recovery
Inventory of Remains
--
Condition of Remains
Recognizable face

Physical Description
Hair Color
Sandy
Head Hair Description
Wavy blond-graying hair, may be sun bleached
Body Hair Description
--
Facial Hair Description
Clean shaven
Left Eye Color
Gray
Right Eye Color
Gray
Eye Description
Eyes are gray with hint of brown
Distinctive Physical Features
No Known Information
No scars, marks, amputations or tattoos

Clothing and Accessories
Item
Description
Clothing Blue jeans and a green long sleeved shirt On the Body
Footwear Cowboy boots On the Body
Jewelry Western string tie, nickel silver with turquoise stone in center; Artist stamp on back "P. White"On the Body
Jewelry Seiko wristwatch On the Body

Investigating Agencies
Ada County Coroner's Office
(208) 287-5556

Agency Case Number
431-82

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/3314umid.html



 

Reconstruction of the decedent; likeness of bolo; belt. To view a postmortem photograph, please click here.

Date of Discovery: December 4, 1982
Location of Discovery: Boise, Ada County, Idaho
Estimated Date of Death: Hours prior
State of Remains: Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Suicide by cyanide poisoning

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 35-45 years old
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 175 lbs.
Hair: Sandy, possibly sun-bleached. He was clean-shaven and his hair was styled.
Eye Color: Gray with hints of brown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Tanned complexion. Well-groomed.

Identifiers
Dentals: Unknown.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Unknown.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: A green, long-sleeve "casual" shirt, blue jeans, a belt with a white-metal buckle and cowboy boots. Described as fashionably-dressed.
Jewelry: Seiko wristwatch. Nickel-silver, Western-style string tie (or bolo) with a turquoise stone in the center. "P. White" was stamped on the back, which is presumed to be the name of the artist behind its creation.
Additional Personal Items: $1,900 in cash and a type-written suicide note.

Circumstances of Discovery
The decedent was discovered under a pew at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho on December 4, 1982. He was observed at the pew shortly before his death, prior to the start of the confession service, at about 4:00 PM.

The man had committed suicide with the aid of cyanide. A type-written suicide note and $1,900 were located with the body. The note detailed the man's wishes for the money he carried to pay for his funeral and cremation. The remaining funds would be donated to the church. The note was signed with the alias name "Wm. L. Toomey."

A public funeral was held on December 6. 200 to 300 people attended the service. Despite the man's wishes, his money was kept by the county and he was buried at taxpayer's expense in the Syringa Gardens Cemetery.

It was later discovered the name used by the unidentified man was taken from a company which manufactured clothing for priests and nuns. The belt buckle he wore was traced to a gift shop in Arizona.

Based on his tanned complexion, it was believed he came from California, Arizona or New Mexico. Investigators followed leads to Pennsylvania, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Illinois. They were unsuccessful with finding additional information.

There is speculation he may have been involved in the murders of two priests from Odessa, Texas and Yuma, Arizona. Despite this, there is no evidence to support this theory.

The case was featured on the television show Unsolved Mysteries in 1990.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Ada County Coroner's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 208-287-5556
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 431-82

NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 57814

Information Source(s)
NamUs
Austin Chronicle
UPI archives
The Idaho Statesman archives

Admin Notes
Added: 10/14/19; Last Updated: 10/14/19