Stephan Doyle

Missing Sunol man found dead
By Roman Gokhman and Rachel Cohen
Staff Writers
Article Created: 02/07/2008 07:12:04 PM PST

HAYWARD — Investigators in Hayward found the body of 41-year-old Sunol resident Stephan Doyle on Wednesday in a warehouse utility room, police reported Thursday.

The west Hayward warehouse is near the software company where Doyle worked, where he was last seen around midnight on Nov. 30, 2007.

"There was no evidence of foul play, but it appears he had been there some time," said Hayward police Sgt. Jason Martinez.

Doyle's body was discovered at 27690 Industrial Blvd. when the new business owner and a telephone company technician were walking through the building to reinstall telephone cables. They called police at 1:13 p.m.

Police identified Doyle through documents found on the body.

Martinez said Doyle's body was found on top of a raised platform in the utility room. He said they found no sign of forced entry, but said Doyle did not have any direct association with the business.

He said they are waiting for toxicology results.

Alameda County Sheriff's Dep. Phil Abrams said Doyle's body arrived at the coroner's office Wednesday evening, and an autopsy was inconclusive. He said there were no signs of physical trauma.

"It's not being treated as homicide," he said.

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.

"Stephan's body was found yesterday," confirmed Neil Davies, his longtime partner.

Davies said Doyle's parents were on their way to the Bay Area from the Boston area.

"He was a very warm person; he touched many people's lives," said his friend Victoria Christian. "He was fun, unique, creative and helpful. He was in all of the town's events. He will be missed."

Roman Gokhman can be reached at (925) 847-2164 or at rgokhman@bayareanewsgroup.com. Rachel Cohen can be reached at 510-293-2463 or at rcohen@bayareanewsgroup.com.