Twist in 20-year-old mum’s gruesome murder as prime suspect is found dead from a suspected drug overdose – and her family admit they’re glad he’s gone
- Troy Boothey was suspected of killing his girlfriend Maddison Murphy-West, 20
- His body was found at his home in Hastings, in southern Melbourne on Saturday
- Police do not believe the death is suspicious, and he is likely to have overdosed
- Mr Boothey was violent ice user and told police Ms Murphy-Brown killed herself
Troy Boothey (pictured) was suspected of killing his girlfriend Maddison Murphy-West, 20
The prime suspect in the murder of a young mother has died of a suspected drug overdose.
Troy Boothey was suspected of killing his girlfriend Maddison Murphy-West, 20, on October 23, 2013 in Pakenham, on the southeast fringe of Melbourne.
Boothey’s body was found at his home in Hastings in the city’s south on Saturday. His death is being investigated but police do not believe it is suspicious, and understand he overdosed on drugs.
Boothey was a violent ice addict, and Ms Murphy-West’s family say they are relieved he is dead.
Her aunt Kelly Anne Murphy said Boothey’s death was ‘a shock’.
‘We have mixed emotions. We are glad that he’s gone… we are no longer looking over our shoulders but we had hoped he would eventually face charges,’ she told the Herald Sun.
Ms Murphy said she hoped people would now come forward with information on her niece’s death.
‘People may not feel scared anymore,’ she said.
At the time of Ms Murphy-West’s death, Boothey told police he found his girlfriend hanging from a door inside her unit.
But homicide detectives believed her death was disguised as self-harm, and the scene manipulated to make it appear like a suicide.
Boothey was a violent ice addict, and Ms Murphy-West’s (pictured) family say they are relieved he is dead
Ms Murphy-West’s (left) aunt Kelly Anne Murphy said Boothey’s (right) death was ‘a shock’
The young mother had been treated in hospital for an assault 13 months before her death and her family believe she was often in fear for her life.
Ms Murphy-West’s mother Paula believes that Boothey is the man responsible for killing her daughter and leaving her to raise the couple’s son Noah, 6.
Boothey went to jail a month after Ms Murphy-West’s death for a road-rage attack while on an ice bender.
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Ms Murphy-West’s mother Paula believs that Boothey is the man responsible for killing her daughter and leaving her to raise the couple’s son Noah (pictured)