Title: Family’s Tragic Secret Revealed: Son’s Brave Testimony Leads to Killer’s Conviction
Eleven-year-old Collier Landry was in bed on a cold winter’s night in 1989 when he heard what sounded like a body hitting a wall. It was five days after Christmas, and his mother, Noreen Boyle, was being murdered in their Ohio home. Landry’s father, Dr. John Boyle, was a prominent osteopath, but life at home was far from idyllic. The Boyles had lived in Mansfield since 1983, but John’s increasing violence and infidelity eventually led to Noreen filing for divorce.
Despite his father’s attempts to gaslight him, Landry knew something was terribly wrong. He heard the sounds of his parents arguing, followed by a scream and a loud thump. When he confronted his father, John insisted that Noreen had left for a vacation, but Landry knew better.
Landry’s bravery was crucial in solving the crime. He snuck away and called his mother’s best friend, Shelly Bowden, who relayed the information to the police. When officers came to the home, Landry insisted that his mother would never leave him and told them about the terrifying sounds he had heard. Initially, the police did not believe him, but Captain Dave Messmore, who took over the investigation, listened to Landry’s story and obtained search warrants.
On January 25, 1990, police discovered Noreen’s body in John’s new home in Erie, Pennsylvania. She was wrapped in a tarp with a plastic bag covering her head and buried under the basement floor. The discovery led to John’s arrest and conviction for murder.
Landry’s courage in testifying against his father was instrumental in securing the conviction. He was just 12 years old at the time and took the witness stand, staring down his father and recalling the events of that fateful night. John was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for aggravated murder and 18 months for abuse of a corpse.
Landry’s story is one of tragedy, but also of healing and resilience. Today, he is a speaker and coach, using his experiences to uplift others who have gone through similar trauma. He has also launched a podcast, sharing his story and providing support to those who need it.
“A Plan to Kill,” the true-crime series that explores the case, airs Sundays at 7 p.m.
