Police officers were called to a flat in Leatherland Court, Kettering, at about 6.30pm yesterday (November 8), to reports of a concern for welfare.

Upon entry however, they sadly found a 71-year-old man with fatal injuries.

As a result, a murder investigation was launched which led to the arrest of a 45-year-old man late last night. He has been arrested on suspicion of murder and theft of a motor vehicle in connection with the incident and remains in police custody at this time.

Senior Investigating Officer - Detective Inspector Torie Harrison from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team said: “This is a fast-moving investigation and our team is working tirelessly to establish the events which led to this man’s death in order to bring those responsible to justice.

“My thoughts are with his family at what is an exceptionally distressing and devastating time, and specially trained officers are supporting them.

“Although we have made one arrest, I am very keen to speak to anyone who may have information. Did you see anything suspicious in the area over the past couple of weeks? Do you have CCTV, dash cam or doorbell cameras that may have captured something relevant to the investigation? We are particularly interested in anything from October 26 onwards.

“No matter how small or insignificant you think your information is, please contact us.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Information can also be submitted directly to the detectives working on this investigation via the online forms below.

Police officers from Kettering’s Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area over the coming days. If anyone from the local community has any concerns, please approach one of these officers who will be happy to help.

UPDATE 10/11/2025

Detectives continue to investigate the murder of a man in Kettering, believed to be 71-year-old John Gerard Boyle.

John, described by his family as a “gentle and generous soul whose love and kindness touched everyone who knew him”, was killed inside his flat in Leatherland Court, Kettering.

He was found at about 6.30pm on Saturday, November 8, after police officers received a report regarding a concern for his welfare.

A murder investigation was launched with four arrests made so far - two men aged 45 and 42, and two women aged 27 and 35. All four remain in police custody at this time.

Senior Investigating Officer - Detective Inspector Torie Harrison from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team said: “As you can see from the photo John’s family has released, he was a cheerful, much-loved man, and his family are understandably devastated by his death.

“Specially trained officers continue to support them, and we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible for his murder to justice.

“If you have any information, no matter how small, please come forward. We are particularly interested in anything from October 26 onwards - whether that’s suspicious activity in or around Leatherland Court, any pertinent CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage, or any conversations anyone had with John in the days leading up to his death.

“Finally, I just want to make it clear that we believe John’s murder to be completely unrelated to any other suspicious death we are investigating.”

Update 12/11/2025

John David Martin Mills, a white British man, aged 45, of Marriott Street, Northampton, has been charged with murder and theft of a motor vehicle in connection with the incident.

He will appear at Northampton Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning (November 13).

Three others - a 42-year-old man, and two women aged 27 and 35, have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.