Wm L. Toomey Remains A Boise Mystery

BOISE, ID — I recall the time this occurred as my family attended Sacred Heart Church my entire childhood. I also attended Sacred Heart School and at the time this happened, I was one year out of high school.

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There was a line to the confessional booth in December, 1982 at Boise's Sacred Heart Church. One man, unknown to the regular parishioners, waited patiently without speaking with others. As those ahead of him entered the booth, confessed their sins and asked for absolution, the man dropped to the ground, dead.

An autopsy on the body discovered the man had ingested a cyanide capsule, either intentionally or forced. In his pocket, police found a large sum of money and a note asking the money be used for his funeral expenses.

The note was signed "Wm L. Toomey,". In 1982, this was a company manufacturing the religious garb worn by the priests.

"Toomey" was also wearing a belt buckle that traced back to Arizona. The buckle was important as in 1981, two Arizona priests were murdered. A suspect was arrested, but later found not to be involved in the murders. Some suspect the Sacred Heart suicide may be the true murderer of the Arizona cases.

Even in this age of DNA testing, the identity of the man is unknown. In the 1990s, the case received national attention after a broadcast on "Unsolved Mysteries". Some tips were generated, but none proved to be an answer.

Some speculate the man wanted to enter the confessional and admit to his deeds in Arizona. Others guess he was poisoned or took the cyanide himself, but miscalculated the time the drug would take effect. Some wonder if the priest at Sacred Heart would become his third victim?

The case remains open.

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