The son of a Vancouver man who died on a logging road on the Sunshine Coast a year ago has been charged with first-degree murder.
Henry Doyle, 58, was located with serious injuries on the Klein Lake Forest Service Road near Egmont on Sept. 23, 2023, according to police. Despite emergency first aid on the scene, Doyle died and his death was deemed suspicious.
On Sept. 13, one count of first-degree murder was approved against Jackson Doyle, 26, “in relation to the homicide,” according to a press release from the RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which was in charge of the investigation. Jackson, who is Henry Doyle’s son, will remain in custody until his first court appearance, said the release.
Henry Doyle was the president and founder of Heaps & Doyle Company, which offers career assistance to dentists. He was also the president and chair of the board of directors of the Dental Industry Association of Canada (DIAC) since 2021. Though he lived in Vancouver, Henry had recreational property on the Sunshine Coast, according to police.
“Henry was an esteemed leader in the Canadian dental industry and his death is a great loss to all who knew him. As president of DIAC, he led the association with passion and integrity," the DIAC board of directors and management team shared in a statement about Doyle’s death on its website at the time.
In a tribute on its website, Oral Health said, "Henry’s contributions were immeasurable as a long-standing pillar of the dental industry. His commitment to the field and exceptional leadership were evident throughout his career. Henry’s legacy at Heaps & Doyle, a company in which he took great pride and played a pivotal role, will continue to inspire and shape the future of the dental industry."
Cpl. Chase Smith of IHIT thanked the Sunshine Coast RCMP, Richmond RCMP, IFIS, Vancouver Police Department, and the Egmont community, for their support in the investigation.
– With files from Keili Bartlett
