Stephan Doyle

Man's death likely accident, cops say
Coroner's deputy: Asphyxiation may be cause
By Roman Gokhman
STAFF WRITER
Article Created: 02/09/2008 02:38:39 AM PST

Authorities said Friday a Sunol man missing since Nov. 30 most likely died accidentally the night he disappeared.

Stephan Doyle's friends said they were relieved that his body, which was found Wednesday near his workplace in Hayward, showed no signs of foul play.

"We hoped he didn't have to face an assailant," said Stephan Doyle's longtime partner, Neil Davies.

Doyle, 47, was last seen about midnight Nov. 30 working at Davies' company, which makes electronic parts for NASA. The business is in a warehouse in an industrial area of Hayward at Arf Avenue and Industrial Boulevard.

Doyle's car and his two dogs were found the next morning in the parking lot. Since that time, he had no contact with any friends or family members and none of his credit cards were used.

Wednesday afternoon, the new owner of an adjacent warehouse, at 27690 Industrial Blvd., was walking through that building with a telephone company technician when the two discovered Doyle's body in a utility room.

Hayward police Sgt. Jason Martinez said it appeared Doyle's body had been in the room for some time but that there was no sign of foul play.

He said police found no sign of forced entry, but that Doyle had no direct association with the business. Martinez said Doyle's body was found on a raised platform, which Davies described as a second story reachable by a staircase.

Davies said his warehouse is built the same way. He said the utilities are on the platform and that another staircase leads from there to the roof.

Sgt. Jim Denholm said Doyle died before he was reported missing on Dec. 2.

"It's still being looked at as a nonsuspicious death," Denholm said.

Alameda County Sheriff coroner's Deputy Phil Abrams said an official cause of death won't be determined for a few weeks, but he knows the likely cause.

"It's most likely going to be asphyxiation," Abrams said. "It will most likely go down as accidental."

Doyle was president of Sunol's Kilkare Woods Homeowners Association, co-director of the Sunol Repertory Theater and a Sunday school teacher at the Little Brown Church.

"We're still in shock right now," said Victoria Christian, a friend. "He was a big part of (Sunol residents') lives."

Davies said he and other friends are waiting for Doyle's parents to arrive from Massachusetts to finalize a memorial service, which is tentatively planned for next weekend at Little Brown Church.

He said he is still upset that Doyle's body was so close to where he disappeared for more than two months, but that his questions have been answered.

"I feel satisfied and a little relieved," he said.