ID BOISE JOHN DOE: MM, 35-45, found suicide in church in Boise, ID - 4 Dec 1982 - Cyanide suicide *IDENTIFIED*

Unidentified Person / NamUs #
UP57814
Male, Multiple



Date Body Found: December 4, 1982
Location Found: Boise, Idaho
Estimated Age: Adult - Pre 50; 35-45
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 175 lbs
Hair Color: Sandy
Head Hair Description: Wavy blond-graying hair, may be sun bleached
Eye Color: Gray with a hint of brown

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.

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

#JohnDoe took his own life and left a note signed "Wm. L. Tooney". Was that his name? Died at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho in 1982.

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

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[Romulus]

James Edward Lewis is much similar

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

 

[Summer_Breeze]

A man whose name isn't his – the curious case of William L. Toomey

A national cyanide controversy from 1982, a priest murder, a cryptic note and a false identity are all part of the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death.

www.ktvb.com

Author: Alexandra Duggan (Idaho Press)
Published: 11:48 AM MST December 22, 2021
Updated: 11:48 AM MST December 22, 2021

BOISE, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.

A man died of cyanide poisoning in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boise in 1982, where he left a note with his name signed on it. Only, Boise Police confirmed it wasn’t his real name — and the man is still unidentified to this day.

A national cyanide controversy from 1982, a priest murder, a cryptic note and a false identity are all part of the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death.

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Much more at link ~Summer

 

[Summer_Breeze]

The Unholy Mystery of the Murdered Priests

The man came in from the rain. He was heavyset, tan. He was dressed in western style, with a bolo tie and a distinctive belt buckle. December 4, 1982 was a wet, chilly day in Boise, Idaho. Inside Boise’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the man in the bolo tie would have seen a modern sanctuary, […]

www.insidehook.com

CRIME | APRIL 4, 2018 5:00 AM
BY STEVE HUFF

The man came in from the rain. He was heavyset, tan. He was dressed in western style, with a bolo tie and a distinctive belt buckle. December 4, 1982 was a wet, chilly day in Boise, Idaho. Inside Boise’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the man in the bolo tie would have seen a modern sanctuary, airy and open, long wooden pews and wooden beams arching overhead. Perhaps it was warm, a relief from the damp outside.

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Another fairly lengthy article. ~Summer

 

[Romulus]

Identified!!

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article317272993.html

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Identified!!

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article317272993.html

Name being released next week.
Interesting that they’re waiting so long to release it.

 

[Guess Who]

Name being released next week.
Interesting that they’re waiting so long to release it.

Possibly the family's request.

 

[testerv]

I have long wondered who this man was. I took professional vocal lessons in a church in Boise back in the late 1970s. I can’t remember what church it was, and I’ve wondered if it was this one.

 

[Romulus]

He was identified as Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouki of Los Angeles."

Cross-country cold case leads detectives to Chicago-area Tylenol murders

A solved cross-country cold case led detectives to take a closer look at the infamous Chicago-area Tylenol murders.

abc7chicago.com

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• Cold Case

Cross-country cold case leads detectives to Chicago-area Tylenol murders​

Live streaming newscasts, breaking news, weather & original, local programming.
ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 7:35PM
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CHICAGO (WLS) -- Officials have identified a man known as the "unknown wanderer." They said he has a possible link to the infamous Tylenol murders in Chicago.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch​

Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouski was identified as the man found dead inside a Boise, Idaho church in December 1982.

He died by taking cyanide inside the church.

Police said that before he died, Betkouski received multiple treatments for mental health in the 70s.

In 1982, Betkouski was known to be doing experiments at his home, and police said he was fired after taking chemicals from his job at a lab.

He was described as paranoid, possibly having schizophrenia and a "loner."

In 2021, his brother died, and police were able to find old items that used to belong to Betkouski, inlcuding his old desk and bed.

Police said they found homemade cyanide in his belongings; however, police said it was different than the poison used in the Chicago murders.

Maps of Chicago were also found among his things, including photos of Betkouski in the Windy City in what is believed to be December 1981.

Police said in the late 70s and early 80s he lived in California, Texas, New Mexico, Ohio and Florida. Officials are hoping to find other cold cases that involve cyanide deaths.

Idaho police said they cannot name him as a suspect in the Tylenol murders because it's not their case.

Idaho officials sent information to Chicago and Arlington Heights; they said it's CPD's job to name him as a suspect.

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Cross-country cold case leads detectives to Chicago-area Tylenol murders​

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Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Park Dietz said he worked the case in Chicago in the 80s. Dietz said when he presented the case of Betkouski to multiple forensic psychiatrists and an FBI group, they all believed Betkouski was a viable suspect.

In the fall of 1982, seven people died within 24 hours in the Chicago area after taking Tylenol that had been laced with one of the deadliest and fast-acting poisons: cyanide.

7 people died within 24 hours after taking cyanide-laced Tylenol in September 1982


The case has never been solved.

James Lewis, the only person ever convicted in connection with the Tylenol killings, died in 2023.

WATCH: I-Team Investigates: The Tylenol Murders

7 people died within 24 hours after taking cyanide-laced Tylenol in September 1982


Chicago police said in a statement, "Chicago Police Department detectives have been in contact with the Ada County Sheriff's Office regarding its investigation to determine whether there is a connection to the Tylenol murders investigation, which remains an open cold case. Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to submit an anonymous tip through CPDTip.com or Cook County Crime Stoppers at 800-535-7867."

Arlington Heights police said in a statement, "The Arlington Heights Police Department continues to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the 1982 Tylenol murders. We received and reviewed information provided by the Ada County Sheriff's Office. We remain committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners and pursuing any viable leads as they become available. Because this remains an active investigation, we have no additional information to release at this time."

The FBI said in a statement, "There have been repeated claims over the past 44 years about alleged links to the Tylenol Murders which have remain unsubstantiated. Out of respect for the ongoing, legitimate investigation, those impacted by the tragedy, and the law enforcement partners who have provided genuine support since the start, the FBI remains the lead on investigating and releasing credible information to the public once the evidence yields a true case resolution."