Murdered teen’s family tell of their devastation

The family of a murdered teenager have said he was “a happy-go-lucky sort of boy” who “didn’t have a bad bone in his body”.

Police launched a murder inquiry after the body of Jack Doyle, 17, was discovered behind houses in Greenock, Inverclyde, at about 9:45am on Tuesday.

It emerged he was the nephew of 16-year-old Elaine Doyle, who was killed on her way home from a disco in June 1986. The crime has never been solved.

His family released a statement last night which said he would always be loved and missed.

The statement said: “Jack was a happy-go-lucky sort of boy. Really quiet and kept himself to himself. He was always around his brothers and sisters and doted on his nephews.

“He was so loving and didn’t have a bad bone in his body. He would rather stay in with family or friends than go out. You couldn’t meet a more genuine boy.

“He will always be loved and missed by his family and friends. His mum, dad and brothers and sisters are devastated that this has happened in such a cruel way to such a lovely boy.”

The teenager’s body was discovered at the rear of houses on Hope Street, near Antigua Street, less than two miles from the spot where his aunt’s body was discovered.

Police said there was nothing to suggest a link between the two deaths. Officers said the death of the 17-year-old, ,was being treated as murder after a post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday.

Detective Chief Inspector Duncan Sloan, who is heading the investigation, said: “Officers have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries and are checking CCTV from the area.”

Detectives last year launched a fresh appeal for information over Elaine’s murder on 1 June 1986.

The 16-year-old’s partially-clothed body was found the next day in a lane off Ardgowan Street, less than 50 yards from her home.

She had been strangled and sexually assaulted.