Philly Fallout

Summary

Fear Thy Neighbor: "Philly Fallout" (June 22, 2026)

Podcast Host: Investigation Discovery (ID)
Episode Description:
A tale of seemingly minor neighborhood disputes in Frankford, Philadelphia, spiraling into an explosive and tragic conflict between former friends Kenny Hoyle and Bobby DePaul. What starts as a disagreement over property and a shed escalates into a psychological war, culminating in violence, loss, and lasting trauma for the whole community. The episode unfolds through interviews with neighbors, attorneys, friends, and law enforcement, exploring the anatomy of neighborly feuds gone fatally wrong.

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Main Theme / Purpose

Theme:
Exploration of how everyday disputes between neighbors can intensify into obsession, fear, and ultimately, lethal violence. The episode seeks to answer: What makes a good neighbor go bad? and underscores the dangers of escalating small conflicts beyond the point of no return.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Frankford, Philadelphia (02:10–05:40)

• Frankford Neighborhood:

  • Described by attorney Kelly Hodge as “robust, active, vibrant urban neighborhood” (03:32).
  • James Street is depicted as close-knit, with friendly, watchful neighbors.
  • “Everyone gets along with each other, pretty close knit. The neighbors really take care of each other…” (Neighbor/Friend, 03:52).

• The Main Characters:

  • Kenny Hoyle: Navy veteran, quiet retiree, takes pride in his home and garden.
  • Maria Hoyle: His wife, community-oriented.
  • Bobby DePaul: Younger, father of four, “neighborly,” close with Kenny—initially almost “like father and son” (Neighbor/Observer, 06:18).
  • August Dempsey: Bobby’s girlfriend, keeps Bobby “in check” (Neighbor/Friend, 05:13).

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2. The Genesis of Conflict: The Shed (06:43–09:11)

• The Construction:

  • Bobby plans to build a large shed or potentially a “garage-sized” structure, encroaching close to Kenny’s property line.
  • Kenny: “You can build your shed, but don’t be touching my fence. …Just stay away from my fence” (07:20).
  • The “shed” disrupts the Hoyles’ garden, causes concern over property and boundaries.
  • The tone shifts: “For some reason, that shed just sent Kenny off. …How dare you build something next to my property without my permission” (Neighbor/Friend, 07:27).

• Escalation:

  • Kenny reports Bobby to city inspectors, who shut down the project and fine Bobby “in the tens of thousands” (09:31).
  • This is seen as a deep betrayal: “Reporting your neighbor to anybody is not a positive thing for a relationship. People are offended by it” (Neighbor/Community Member, 10:07).

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3. Feud Intensifies: Retribution & Retaliation (09:59–18:32)

• Emotional Fallout:

  • Bobby is incensed, sees it as “war.” Bobby’s temper and drinking become problems (“ticking time bomb” – Narrator, 10:32).
  • Hostility becomes personal and open: “Screw you, Kenny. Do you hear me?” (Bobby, 10:48).

• Positive Appeal:

  • August appeals the fine; shed construction is ultimately permitted to continue (16:25).

• From Annoyance to Harassment:

  • Fights over kids playing ball:
    “Keep them kids of yours under control, will ya?” (Kenny, 17:45)
  • Flower garden vandalized (suspected bleach), noisy parties, and disputes over barbecue smoke—leading Kenny to call authorities for “uncontrolled fire.”
    “He was just snapping…Bobby said it’s my yard, I’m allowed to barbecue. Call the cops on that. And Kenny did” (Neighbor/Friend, 19:14).

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4. The Battle Becomes Psychological Warfare (20:41–28:14)

• Cycle of Escalation:

  • Kenny wakes to “a bucket of maggots” on his porch; he blames Bobby (20:48), but there is no proof.
    “I know it’s him. Who else is it gonna be?” (Kenny, 21:08)
  • Next, Kenny’s car is vandalized—a rock, “from the foundation of the shed,” through his window. Again, no proof.
  • Calls to police become fruitless: “Get evidence and then you call in. Otherwise, you guys handle this yourselves. Understood?” (Police, 23:59).
  • Kenny escalates to reporting Bobby for minor trash violations.

• Defense and Surveillance:

  • The Hoyles begin parking blocks away, fearing further vandalism.
  • Kenny installs home cameras, determined to catch Bobby (25:55).

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5. Tragedy Looms: The War Peaks (26:31–34:26)

• The Losses Mount:

  • Hoyles’ dog, Cooper, is poisoned and dies. Kenny is certain Bobby did it, though again there’s no proof.
    “I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill your ugly mutt” (Bobby, 27:51).

• Inescapable Feud:

  • The Hoyles feel “imprisoned in their own home” (Attorney, 33:45).
  • Bobby “makes good on his threat” to force Kenny out: music blasting, floodlights pointed at their house, smoke from an allegedly misconstructed wood stove.
    “He would put it on with the intention of just causing a disturbance” (Attorney, 32:45).

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6. The Fatal Night (34:26–43:16)

• The Breaking Point (July 16, 2017):

  • A drunken Bobby rages, destroys fence: “It’s over for you, Hoyle. You’re dead, Hoyle” (Bobby, 34:53).
  • Maria calls 911, but police are delayed by another shooting elsewhere.
  • Bobby crosses onto the Hoyles’ property, shakes the gate, exposes himself, yells threats.
  • Kenny retrieves his firearm and shoots at Bobby, striking both Bobby and August, who is attempting to calm Bobby down.

  Memorable/Notable Quotes:

  • “He’s gonna kill us.” (Kenny, 37:45)
  • “At one point, Hoyle went in the house, retrieved his gun, returned and fired” (Attorney, 38:28).
  • “Bobby DePaul and August Dempsey have been shot and killed” (Narrator, 38:49).
  • “Immediately following the incident, Mr. Hoyle calls the police, saying, I shot him” (Attorney, 38:53).

• Aftermath:

  • Kenny claims self-defense but is initially released; neighbors and victims’ families demand justice.
  • “5,000 signatures…seeking justice for Bobby and August” (Neighbor/Community Member, 40:05).
  • A week later, Kenny is arrested and subsequently tried for double murder.
  • Prosecutors show he “was egging him on”—the case for self-defense collapses.
  • Ballistics show both victims shot in the back: “The bullets hit Bobby in the back, but he claimed that Bobby was coming after him” (Neighbor/Friend, 42:08).

• Conviction & Effects:

  • Kenny is convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, sentenced to 66 years in prison (43:43).
  • The loss devastates the community:
    “The street’s like almost abandoned. …It made the neighborhood.” (Neighbor/Friend, 43:28).
  • Maria Hoyle remains in her home, isolated.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Setting the Stage:
  • “Most violent crimes…between everyday neighbors in ordinary neighborhoods. …Heed this warning.” – Narrator (02:10)
• Shed Dispute:
  • “You can build your shed, but don’t be touching my fence.” – Kenny Hoyle (07:20)
• Betrayal:
  • “Neighbors don’t do that to one another. …It added a level of betrayal.” – Narrator (09:11)
• Retaliation:
  • “If I have to sell my bike to pay for this, he’s gonna lose his teeth.” – Kenny Hoyle (09:46)
• Emotional Toll:
  • “From the perspective of Kenny Hoyle, Bobby was somebody that he was worried about.” – Neighbor/Community Member (15:02)
• Escalation Evidence:
  • “Hoyle found maggots on his porch and believe they were placed there by DePaul. …A bucket of maggots.” – Attorney (20:48)
• Desperation:
  • “I want you to do your job, man. I want you to lock him up.” – Kenny Hoyle (21:24)
• Deadly Night:
  • “It’s over for you, Hoyle. You’re dead, Hoyle.” – Bobby (34:53)
  • “At one point, Hoyle went in the house, retrieved his gun, returned and fired.” – Attorney (38:28)
  • “Bobby DePaul and August Dempsey have been shot and killed.” – Narrator (38:49)
• Aftermath:
  • “None of us ever considered that it would turn violent like this.” – Narrator (42:39)
  • “There’s really no anecdote or lesson…no moral of the story here. …This was a tragedy.” – Attorney (44:14)

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Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Event Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 02:10 | Introduction to Frankford, Philadelphia | | 06:43 | Shed project sparks first signs of conflict | | 09:11 | Inspector shuts down shed, brings heavy fines | | 10:32 | Bobby’s temper flares; feud becomes personal | | 16:25 | August Dempsey wins appeal; shed stays | | 18:32 | Kids’ ball game escalates tempers | | 20:48 | Maggot incident | | 22:35 | Car vandalism | | 23:59 | Police: No help unless evidence is provided | | 25:55 | Hoyles install surveillance cameras | | 26:31 | Hoyles’ dog poisoned and dies | | 32:45 | Bobby intentionally escalates disturbances | | 34:26 | The fatal night: showdown, threats, 911 calls | | 38:28 | Kenny shoots and kills Bobby and August | | 40:23 | Kenny is arrested for double murder | | 42:51 | Kenny convicted, sentenced to 66 years | | 43:28 | Devastation to street, community trauma |

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Conclusion & Reflection

Final Reflection:
The feud between Kenny Hoyle and Bobby DePaul reveals the dangers of unresolved grudges, bruised egos, and persistent escalation. What began as a seemingly trivial dispute over a shed deteriorated not only two men’s lives but fractured an entire community, ending in heartbreak and loss.

Closing Thought:
“There’s really no anecdote or lesson…no moral of the story here. …This was a tragedy.” (Attorney, 44:14)

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End of Content Summary – For informational use by those who haven’t listened to the episode.

Transcript

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

Most violent crimes that capture the public's imagination are about serial killers, mass shooters, or crimes of passion. Yet some of the most shocking conflicts we encounter are between everyday neighbors in ordinary neighborhoods. What makes a good neighbor go bad? We may never truly know, but heed this warning about the terrible things that can happen when even the pettiest disagreements pass the point of no return. Today's story takes us to the home of the Eagles and Philly Cheesesteaks in a welcoming suburb just on the outskirts of town. The friendships here are as close as the house is, and that's certainly true of two neighbors who have known each other for years It's a great and reciprocal relationship until the balance is upset when the younger man builds a shed in his backyard. As the friendship sours, relentless feuding sets them on a collision course with violence and tragedy. This is fear thy neighbor. Philly follow. Frankfort is a suburb of Philadelphia filled with diverse and friendly working class families. Here's attorney Kelly Hodge.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

It's a very robust, you know, active, vibrant urban neighborhood, like many neighborhoods and cities around the country.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Resident Allen Nider tells us that on James street, the close neighbors spend a lot of time together.

[Narrator]

So we all share porches and steps and people sit out often. It's crazy, but it's a good block.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Everyone gets along with each other, pretty close knit. The neighbors really take care of each other, look out for each other's kids. It's a good neighborhood.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny Hoyle and his wife Maria have lived on James street for almost two decades. Attorney Joe Audino joins Alan Nider in describing them.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. Hoyle was a Navy veteran. He was a Navy machinist. He retired, living a very quiet life.

[Narrator]

I knew that Kenny was a vet just by the way he looked. Short, crew cut, hair, you know, his stand up straight. And Maria just kept an eye on the block.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The Hoyles are spending their retirement making the most out of their beautiful residence.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

They were happy with their home. That's truly where their heart was. They enjoyed the company of their dog Cooper, kept to themselves for the most part.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Just next door to the Hoyles lives Bobby DePaul. Though he's younger than Kenny and Maria, Bobby is also a longtime fixture of the street. Living here for nearly 15 years, Bobby

[Narrator]

and Kenny were friends. And you can't live that close to someone and not treat them as family that way.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Bob playing nice over there? Of course.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bobby's girlfriend, August Dempsey spends weekends at his place along with Bobby's four children from previous relationships. Lester Strimel is a close friend of the couple.

[Neighbor/Friend]

August. She kept Bobby in check. She made sure his clothes was clean, made sure he was up for work. Great woman. She was the right one for Bobby.

[Narrator]

Bobby was a well known figure in the neighborhood. He was very neighborly. He would have done whatever I needed at any time, drop of a hat, day or night.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Over the years, the younger and older couples have enjoyed each other's company. And it's a good thing given their close quarters.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Their houses were essentially together. It was one property with a wall between the two separating the two homes.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bobby and Kenny share more than just a wall. Bobby is also an avid mechanic. And together the two Gearheads rent a garage space nearby.

[Narrator]

How's that air conditioner coming?

[Kenny Hoyle]

It's coming.

[Narrator]

You sure that's gonna fix it?

[Kenny Hoyle]

There's always hope.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

They would sit there, have a beer, do some mechanic work.

[Kenny Hoyle]

No, no, no, no, no. Try tightening the other one first.

[Narrator]

Man, Kenny knows best.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You're right. Kenny does. Now you're getting it.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Neighbor Jude Webster also speaks to Bobby and Kenny's tight relationship.

[Neighbor/Observer]

Bobby was like apprentice. It was like father and son relationship almost. So he was very respectful to him.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Life couldn't be better. But nothing good lasts forever.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

The Hoyles backyard was quaint. It was just something that you could tell that two people really took the time to care about. They had their flowers, their vegetable garden. It was something that they truly enjoyed.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Now Bobby is planning to make some improvements to his backyard.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby wanted to build a little shed in his yard to keep his lawnmowers, weed whacker, barbecue grill.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

He shares his vision with Kenny, but it doesn't land as he would have hoped.

[Neighbor/Friend]

If I remove this part of the

[Kenny Hoyle]

fence here, and maybe just a bit of this section, then I should be able to snug it right up to the line.

[Neighbor/Friend]

It'll fit perfect.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

As attorney Joe Audino explains, it's not just the construction that bothers Kenny. It's the scale.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

It was something that went beyond a simple shed, more to a garage. And this was not acceptable to Mr. Hoyle. Oh, no, no, no. Come on.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You can build your shed, but don't be touching my fence. You can't be doing that. Bobby, come on. When he just made the damn thing a foot smaller, that's all you got to do.

[Neighbor/Friend]

For some reason, that shed just sent Kenny off. Like, how dare you build something next to my property without my permission.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I made the blueprints already, so, I

[Neighbor/Friend]

mean, it's got to be like this.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You know what, Bobby? That's your problem. Build your shed. Just stay away from my fence. Fine. Whatever you say.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny shakes off his annoyance with his neighbor. But it returns with a vengeance when he discovers Bobby plowing ahead with his construction. What on earth?

[Kenny Hoyle]

Hey. The hell are you doing? Hey, Ken. Gorgeous day. What are you doing, man? There's rooms for all this kind of stuff. Building my shed.

[Narrator]

The shed. Capitals. It was pretty big. It wasn't just a one story thing. From my impression, it could have been an en suite, like separate little house.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Look at the height of it. It's over. It's on the property line. Everything, man.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

It was put in a spot that allegedly Kenny Hoyle said Bobby didn't have permission to put it there.

[Narrator]

It was a problem. Immediately, Maria's garden was affected by. By the shed.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You know, the work I put into these plants. Bobby, come on.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I told you to stay away from my fence. Just don't listen. You're such a jerk, man.

[Neighbor/Friend]

I just think they took it personal. I think they think. They think Bobby was building the shed to make them mad. And that's when everything really started going really bad downhill between them two.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bobby isn't backing down, so Kenny takes another approach. He sends a city inspector to shut down the project.

[Neighbor/Friend]

That really ticked Bobby off. That's when the tensions got really high.

[Narrator]

Calling licenses and inspections because you don't have a permit. Neighbors don't do that to one another. It added a level of betrayal.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Regardless, Kenny's effort succeeds. The inspector presents Bobby with a hefty penalty.

[Neighbor/Friend]

You're fining me?

[Narrator/Host]

Is this a FL fine or tuition?

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

He was fined a significant amount of money in the tens of thousands in order to cease building.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

I thought Kenny was your friend.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Not anymore.

[Narrator/Host]

This is unbelievable.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby was mad. Bobby wanted to go next door and argue.

[Kenny Hoyle]

If I have to sell my bike to pay for this, he's gonna lose his teeth.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

No, no.

[Kenny Hoyle]

No way I'm gonna fight this.

[Neighbor/Friend]

August, she was upset, but she had Bobby's back. She kept Bobby in line.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

August files a formal appeal, but the process will take some time. And in the meantime, the relationship continues to sour.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Reporting your neighbor to anybody is not a positive thing for a relationship. People are offended by it.

[Narrator]

In a perfect world, right, everyone can smooth things over, but, you know, it's hard to get over things, especially when you're that close.

[Neighbor/Observer]

Bobby was just obsessed with the fact that they ordered him to tear down that shed.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Bobby had a temper, and he was known to have some problems in the past with, you know, his anger.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby was irate over that. I never seen Bobby so mad.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

If Bobby is a ticking time bomb, the fuse is lit.

[Narrator]

He just felt like now it's a war. And then everything I'm gonna do to make your life more difficult because you did this thing to me.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Screw you, Kenny. Do you hear me?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And the next stage of the conflict is about to be unleashed. One that will strike fear into his neighbor and take things to dangerous heights. Busy households deserve smarter cleaning.

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

Allegedly Bobby becomes so frustrated he unleashes a tirade inside his house and the thin walls provide little protection for Kenny and Maria.

[Neighbor/Observer]

It's close living. You can hear everything.

[Narrator]

You're separated by two courses of brick. That's it.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I know you're listening. You and Marie are right there, aren't you? Nobody tells me what to do. Especially you, old man. You hear me? Bobby, knock it off.

[Neighbor/Observer]

It was all because of the complaint. That was the catalyst to the whole situation that just escalated.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby believed what Bobby building his property was Bobby's concern and nobody else's.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I'll break your neck if I ever see you again. You hear me, Bobby? Just shut the hell up.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby was the type of guy, if there's an issue, you know, don't call the cops on me. Tell me what your concern is and maybe we could come to some type of agreement and settle it, and Kenny would. Kenny was not that type of person. That bothered Bobby.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

According to attorney Kelly Hodge, Bobby's threats begin to take the their toll on Kenny.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

From the perspective of Kenny Hoyle, Bobby was somebody that he was worried about. And in fear of deciding it's best

[Narrator/Storyteller]

to try and restore the peace, Kenny approaches Bobby and gets a surprising response.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Bobby, we need to talk about what happened yesterday. Hey, buddy. It's great to see you.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But as attorney Joe Audino explains, the resolution might not be so simple.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Bobby suffered from this almost Jekyll and Hyde type personality. When he was sober, he was somebody who people wanted to be around. But when he consumed alcohol, he became violent, aggressive. He was definitely someone you wanted to avoid.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You gotta go. Hey, garage leader. All right.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny and Maria have seen this behavior from Bobby before and are concerned their neighbor's drinking may be to blame.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

The Hoyles didn't know what version of Mr. DePaul they were going to get.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Neighbor Alan Nider is also familiar with this side of Bobby.

[Narrator]

He was a drinker and a fighter. That was my worst fear when it came to Bobby DePaul was that I was going to have to fist fight

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

him when he drank. He just became this violent, violent person.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny Hoyle keeps his distance, still believing he's justified in putting a stop to Bobby's shed. But a few weeks later, he's blindsided once again. When Bobby and August receive some good news.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Ms. Dempsey was proactive in the appeal process. The appeal was granted, and the shed was permitted to stay.

[Narrator]

That must have drove Kennedy nuts because Bobby won.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Friend Lester Strimel reports that Bobby wasted no time once he was cleared to proceed.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Doing great, babe.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby built that thing at less than three days, I believe it was one hell of a shed. Oh, here comes King.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Kenny.

[Neighbor/Friend]

You here to order me around again?

[Kenny Hoyle]

I did what I had to do. All right.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But as construction continues, a broken friendship is left in the structure's wake.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

This relationship was something that couldn't be turned around.

[Neighbor/Observer]

It all seemed to stem from that shed.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

It's still there and it's still irritating. For Kenny that's definitely going to be a thorn in the side of any relationship. Especially his neighbors.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny may be wary of his neighbor's anger, but it doesn't prevent his own pent up anger from busting loose.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

It was one day in particular where the children were throwing a ball.

[Kenny Hoyle]

What are you kids doing? Let's threw the ball over. What's all they yelling about?

[Neighbor/Friend]

That's probably the first time that I ever seen him irate. Everyone was just in shock.

[Kenny Hoyle]

What are you keeping in the park? Hey, keep them kids of yours under control will ya? They're just kids. Just kids? Oh yeah, and you're just a father. You know what, why don't you try acting like one.

[Neighbor/Friend]

The uncalled for.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Shut up Kenny.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

That's enough.

[Neighbor/Friend]

You're out of line Bobby. Feel as though this is my home, I can do what I want. And then Kenny would feel this is my home and I should see and hear what I want.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You're lucky my kids are here. Oh yeah. Boo frickin. Go on. Yeah, that's right. Go away. Can't finish the argument.

[Narrator]

You had these two alpha personalities suddenly at odds and it was petty but obviously escalated.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

If Bobby can't enjoy his side of the fence, neither can Kenny.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

The Hoyles began to notice certain issues with their property. They had noticed that their flowers had died. Smelled the flowers. Appeared to be bleach on their flowers.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

When Bobby decides to throw a party it triggers the next wave of conflict.

[Neighbor/Friend]

It was 4th of July. Everything was calm. Bobby threw some spare ribs on the grill and I guess when the barbecue sauce hit the flames it really caused some smoke.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Oh Bobby, can you make the smoke any thicker? This is called cooking Bobby.

[Narrator/Host]

What's wrong with it?

[Kenny Hoyle]

Do you want ribs or not? This is how I make my ribs.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Ten minutes later Kenny comes storming out the door. Can't complain about the smoke.

[Kenny Hoyle]

What the hell's going on? Your smoke stinging my eyes.

[Neighbor/Friend]

He was just snapping. He was yelling. Face was getting red. He was mad. Bobby said it's my yard, I'm allowed to barbecue. Call the cops on that. And Kenny did. Called the cops on a barbecue.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Not only does Kenny call the police, but he also reports a fire.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I was just having a cookout.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Mr. Hoyle, when you called us you

[Kenny Hoyle]

said there was an uncontrolled fire. I thought there was. There was so much Smoke.

[Neighbor/Friend]

She pretty much told him, you know, you really just can't keep calling us for stuff like this.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

You know, the police and firefighters and emergency responders are extremely busy. Why are you doing that and making, in essence, a false report?

[Neighbor/Friend]

I guess that wasn't the response that Kenny wanted, and he went in the house mad.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny's calls to the authorities blew up in his face.

[Narrator]

It was definitely an ego driven kind of thing. If Kenny could have let go of the things that bothered him so much, the arguments could have stopped.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You know, for now, it looks like Bobby has the upper hand, and he plans on keeping it that way.

[Neighbor/Friend]

You got a neighbor from hell, and you're stuck with him. He definitely pushed Bobby's buttons a lot. He knew how to get to Bobby. And unfortunately, they met the wrong neighbor because Bobby wasn't having none of it.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The next morning, the Hoyles wake up to a nasty surprise, recounts crime reporter Hayden Mittman.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Hoyle found maggots on his porch and believe they were placed there by DePaul. It was a sufficient amount. It was described as a bucket of maggots were tossed on their front patio.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny summons police once again, this time demanding Bobby's arrest.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You have any cameras? You know, anything to prove that this is the work of your neighbor? I know it's him. Who else is it gonna be? You need proof? I need something. I don't have any cameras. No.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

They had no actual proof that Mr. DePaul was the cause of this vandalism.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I want you to do your job, man. I want you to lock him up. You don't have any evidence. What do you expect me to do?

[Neighbor/Community Member]

So I'm sure for Kenny, he was feeling like, I'm not getting any support in what I believe Bobby's doing to affect my home and make my living horrible.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

This situation could have been something that two reasonable people could have worked through. And in this case, the personalities between the parties would not permit that.

[Neighbor/Observer]

These are grown men that are acting like children.

[Narrator]

From Bob's perspective, he hasn't done anything besides build a stupid shed that the neighbors don't like.

[Narrator/Host]

So.

[Narrator]

So he felt like he was being harassed by these people.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby wasn't Bobby anymore. After a while, always miserable, always saying his neighbors saying this, neighbors saying that

[Narrator]

it was testosterone driven, and nobody would have thought it would have ever escalated as far as it did. None of us ever considered that it would turn violent.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

They were once neighbors who were neighborly along the way. That turned.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The war between Kenny Hoyle and Bobby DePaul ramps up when Kenny comes out one day to discover his car vandalized.

[Kenny Hoyle]

What the hell?

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

There was a large stone that was thrown through the front passenger side window.

[Narrator]

Broken windows. That's like security and safety, right? So I imagine that that felt very threatening.

[Neighbor/Observer]

Obviously something's happening here that's being. Is escalating.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Sucks about your window. You did it.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Prove it.

[Kenny Hoyle]

That rock looks familiar.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

The issue with this specific rock was it was part of the foundation of the shed in the backyard.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny believes he's finally got Bobby cornered.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Hello, police. Some maniac just attacked my property.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But Bobby maintains his innocence. And his girlfriend August is quick to come to his defense.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I didn't do it. It's my control freak neighbor. He's got it out for me. He's lying. That rock matches the one from the bottom of his shit.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

But that doesn't mean he's the one

[Narrator/Storyteller]

that broke your window.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Exactly. Exactly. Or just magically appeared out of the sky. Dan.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

There was no direct evidence to suggest it was Mr. DePaul. He always said somehow was unable to be caught by the police.

[Kenny Hoyle]

What, you're not gonna help me this time either? No.

[Neighbor/Observer]

Kenny. And they keep calling and they keep trying to do. You know, you try to do the right thing and nothing happens.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Get evidence and then you call in. Otherwise, you guys handle this yourselves. Understood?

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

You got it.

[Narrator]

I can't imagine being in the position where you're relying on those cops for your safety and they're not seeing the problem that you see.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Until Kenny can get proof, he'll have to fight this war on his own. And he's prepared to do whatever it takes.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. Hoyle was a licensed firearm owner.

[Neighbor/Observer]

I could see him being prepared to protect his property. People have real guns to protect their homesteads. And this is a big city.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The Hoyles take steps to avoid any more vandalism to their car. Attorney Joe Audino explains Mr. And Ms.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Hoyle began to park their vehicles three to four blocks away from their home. In the summer, you're parking on a hot day. Having to walk four or five blocks when you're 70 years old. It's a big undertaking that would take

[Neighbor/Observer]

a toll on anybody. I could just see how that could add to frustrations of Kenny and Ray.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

When Bobby unknowingly provides Kenny the infraction he needs, the neighbor takes one more stab at getting the authorities involved.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Give me the bylaw office. My neighbor's breaking the law.

[Neighbor/Friend]

In Philadelphia, you can only have your trash cans out on the day of trash pickup. And Bobby used to put his trash out the night before, Bobby received a few tickets in the mail because Bobby's trash was out a day early.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Stop this.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Stop it now.

[Kenny Hoyle]

This is what happens when you ignore the rules. You're such a hypocrite. You do the same thing with your trash.

[Narrator]

You get two men that are pushing each other to see how far the other one will go. When will you stop? When will you learn? You'll pay for this.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Oh, yeah. I got a surprise for you, Bob. Look up.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

So once the Hoyles were experiencing the. The increased level of vandalism, they had installed a camera system in their home.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

By going all in on home surveillance, Kenny is trying to make sure Bobby has no moves left. From now on, every move will be caught on camera.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

You would think at that point, that would close the door to basically say, we're done.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Yet within days, this conflict will go from aggravating to heartbreaking and worse. Attorney Joe Audino takes us through the next gut wrenching development.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

The Hoyle's Rottweiler was not acting normally. Laying down, kind of whimpering.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Cooper. Cooper. Cooper, Come on. Maria, come quick.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

The Hoyles immediately take their dog to the vet. The dog was diagnosed with having being poisoned.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Cooper passes away. It's devastating. And to Kenny, it's no accident. He immediately points fingers to his neighbor. Kenny, stop.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You don't know that you did it. Kenny.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Kenny.

[Narrator/Host]

Kenny.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Kenny. You're dead. Nepal Shh, shh, shh.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

The dog became sick at a time that there was issues between the two parties. I think anybody who here's those facts would assume that the primary suspect would have been Mr. DePaul.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Neighbor Alan Nider is shocked at the news.

[Narrator]

I can't imagine anyone doing that to someone else's dog. It's evil, right? That's evil to kill someone's dog.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Buddy, you killed Cooper. Kenny, stop it. You're sick.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Lester Strimel defends his friend, while neighbor Jude Webster is less certain.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby had no reason to poison that dog. Dog didn't do nothing. Bobby never complained about the dog.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I didn't do it. I didn't kill your ugly mutt.

[Neighbor/Observer]

I think he's certainly obsessed enough to come up with such a plan. But whether or not he did it is just.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

While Kenny and Maria mourn their loss, they have no idea their neighbor's temper is close to boiling over. And the wall separating the two men is about to heat up even more.

[Narrator/Host]

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[Kenny Hoyle]

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[Narrator]

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[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

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[Neighbor/Community Member]

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

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[Narrator/Host]

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

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[Neighbor/Community Member]

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

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[Neighbor/Community Member]

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[Narrator/Host]

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

Frankfort, Philadelphia neighbors and former friends Kenny Hoyle and Bobby DePaul have locked horns and tragically, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

[Neighbor/Friend]

I was shocked. I was I couldn't believe it that it went that far.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

The vandalism started to pick up. The instances continuously got more aggressive.

[Neighbor/Observer]

It just got more and more insane.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Do you smell smoke? Fire. Fire. Come on.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Smoke fills the Hoyle home, sending Kenny and Maria into a state of panic. But there's no sign of fire. They soon discover the smoke is pouring in from under the wall they share with Bobby DePaul.

[Kenny Hoyle]

There it is. It's coming from under here. He's pumping smoke into her house.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. DePaul had installed a wood burning stove in his property.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny claims this is more intimidation from his neighbor. According to crime reporter Hayden Mittman, Hoyle

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

believed that DePaul misconstructed his own wood burning stove in his home simply in order to blow smoke into Hoyle's living space.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Bobby's screwing with this.

[Narrator]

If you're hate your neighbor and you think that everything that they're doing against you is purposefully done to you, then it, yeah, it may make you crazy.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Open the door.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Click again. Bobby DePaul denies any ill intent.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. DePaul would flat out say, you know, I've had enough of you. I had enough of this whole situation. I'm going to do whatever I can to make you move.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bobby makes good on his threat.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. DePaul would play music. He would blast the music. He would put it on with the intention of just causing a disturbance to Hoyles.

[Kenny Hoyle]

What the hell's going on now? Shut that ragged off, will ya?

[Narrator]

He was out there 1 o', clock, 2 o' clock in the morning, rocking out.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

There was a floodlight that was attached to the top of the shed that was angled to shine into Mr. Hoyle's window.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You're sick. Shut that light out the pole. Turn it off.

[Narrator]

If that light was purposefully put to shine in the house, and that's horrible. But it's also possible that they just let it drive them crazy.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Unable to take it anymore, Kenny and Maria decide to throw in the towel but run into more problems.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

They were unable to move. They're both retired. You know, to get a mortgage to move to another area was close to being impossible at that time. So they were stuck. They were imprisoned in their own home.

[Neighbor/Friend]

Bobby was like, I'm not moving. This is my home. Bobby put a lot of sweat and tears in that home.

[Narrator]

Are both kind of bullies in their own way. So you get two leaders together and, you know, one of them has to try and establish that dominance or to see when they can break the other. Even with the petty Back and forth. You would wonder what's next, but never would you worry about what's next. No one thought that it was ever going to turn into something like this.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The next showdown on the night of July 16, 2017 will change the neighborhood forever. Attorneys Joe Audino and Kelly Hodge launch the story, which is set off when Maria Hoyle is startled by the aggression from her neighbor's home.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Hoyle, where are you?

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

She hears Mr. DePaul enter the backyard and begin to yell screaming profanities about Kenny.

[Kenny Hoyle]

It's over for you, Hoyle. You're dead, Hoyle.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bobby, you are acting crazy.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

What are you doing?

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Bobby had been drinking and so he was under the influence. And August is trying to tell Bobby to kind of to let it go.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Get out of here, you coward. Where are you? Get out of here.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Oil.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Where are you?

[Narrator/Host]

Bobby, no. Stop it.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I'll stop when he's dead. Stop it. Get out of here.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bobby takes out his rage on the fence between the two yards.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. Hoyle notices that Mr. DePaul is destroying this fence.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I can do what I want. There are no kids here, no cops. It's just me and him.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

It was simply just blind aggression, blind anger.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny and Maria come outside to face their ranting neighbor, but from their side of the fence.

[Kenny Hoyle]

What the hell are you doing? There he is. Yeah, I'm here. What are you doing? You're dead. You're dead, man. Go back to bed, man.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Neighbor Jude Webster hears it all.

[Neighbor/Observer]

I come home close to 2 o' clock in the morning and I hear Bobby screaming and I hear Kenny yelling back at him. Constant like screaming fest.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

No, my neighbor is outside.

[Kenny Hoyle]

He's outside destroying my property.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Maria called 911 to basically say, you're going to need to come out here.

[Kenny Hoyle]

No, this is actually happening right now. Please, please.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But Maria has no luck securing help.

[Narrator]

Just send somebody.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Somebody.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

On the night of this incident, cops were in that community responding to a unrelated shooting. So officers are already busy with high level violent crime.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Meanwhile, the altercation at the fence is spiraling out of control.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You're going nuts, man. You can't tell me what to do. You're an animal. You locked up. You're nuts. Stop it. You're way out of control. The police are coming. Out of control. The police aren't coming.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. DePaul then proceeded to expose his genitals to the Hoyles, saying other certain profanities.

[Kenny Hoyle]

You like that? Knock it off. You like when you see a child get inside.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

According to witnesses, Bobby doesn't stop at threats he's about to do real harm. He crosses the property line.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. DePaul leaves the back of his house, walks across the properties. Kenny, down Mr. Boyle's alleyway. DePaul was grabbing and shaking that gate, trying to make his way over.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Stop. No.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

At which point, Mr. Hoyle is calling the police.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Someone's got to get here. He's gonna kill us.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. Hoyle had told the police, look, my neighbor is on his way. He's coming onto my property.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Hey, where are you? Stop it.

[Narrator/Host]

Stop it.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Just go home.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

It's not worth it.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

And it was during this whole time that Ms. Dempsey is pleading with Mr. DePaul to stop.

[Kenny Hoyle]

They're trying to arrest you, Bobby.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Ms. Dempsey, she was, you know, acting as the voice of reason.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But to his neighbor, it's clear Bobby can't be stopped.

[Neighbor/Observer]

He's all in. When he's ready to go, he's ready for war.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Terrified and with no sign of the police, Kenny Hoyle makes a fateful choice.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

He eventually took it into his own hands. At one point, Hoyle went in the house, retrieved his gun, returned and fired.

[Neighbor/Observer]

I hear a bang. You know, I hear three more bangs, and I see this flash. This is the gunfire seemed like it was like so loud. It was like right next to my head. It felt like.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bobby DePaul and August Dempsey have been shot and killed.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Immediately following the incident, Mr. Hoyle calls the police, saying, I shot him.

[Neighbor/Observer]

I didn't know what happened. And the cop was there almost like within a few minutes.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

When police take Kenny in for questioning, he claims he acted in self defense.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Hoyle claimed that he was afraid for his life.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Kenny.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Bobby.

[Narrator/Host]

Bobby.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

He didn't know what he was going to do. Mr. DePaul was on his way over the gate at the time Mr. Hoyle fired that first shot.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But tragically, Kenny hits more than his intended target. He claims he was unaware that August was trailing Bobby when he unleashed three more bullets.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Mr. Hoyle had no idea that Ms. Dempsey was actually present the authorities by

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kenny's story and allow him to return home. But the neighborhood is incensed that he's released so soon.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Neighbors knew immediately this was not self defense. They wanted an arrest immediately.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

August and Bobby's families are outraged that their killer walks free and start a petition demanding Kenny be charged. Recalls Kelly Hodge.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

5,000 signatures have been received, basically saying that they were seeking justice for Bobby and August. But you want to make sure that you have the evidence necessary to move forward and to hopefully get a conviction. And that's what happened when we had the evidence, we charged.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

A week after the shooting, Kenny Hoyle is arrested for the double murder of Bobby DePaul and August Dempsey, one of

[Neighbor/Friend]

the neighbors that do talk to Kenny. When I talked to them, they told me what Kenny told them. I knew it was a lie. I knew what they were telling him didn't add up. And fortunately, thank God, the truth came out.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

During the trial, prosecutors disprove Kenny's self defense claim. No one doubts that Bobby was angry and aggressive. But rather than being in fear of his unhinged neighbor, it comes to light that Kenny was egging him on.

[Kenny Hoyle]

I gotta break your neck, Brian.

[Narrator/Host]

No.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Do it. Stop it. You wanna do it? I dare you to.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Kenny was taunting Bobby to keep this argument going, continuing to try to get him over onto his side of the property.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Kenny and Mr. DePaul suggests, well, why don't you let me in your gate? You know, you really want to do something, let me come over. And Mr. Hoyle said, yeah, come on up. A 70 year old man with diabetes, heart condition, arthritis in his knees said, yep, come on up.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Kenny was trying to get him to come where he needs him to come to justify him shooting.

[Narrator/Host]

Bobby.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Bobby, stop.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

We're going home.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

Enough.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

As Bobby travels around front and approaches the Hoyles gate, with August coming up behind to try and turn him back, Kenny pulls his gun on them.

[Neighbor/Observer]

What? I'm told they were running from the weapon.

[Kenny Hoyle]

Bobby, they have a gun. Come on. Kenny. Kenny. No. Bobby.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

Bobby.

[Neighbor/Friend]

The bullets hit Bobby in the back, but he claimed that Bobby was coming after him.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Crime scene investigators could determine that the shots were two the backs of the individuals. Once they were down.

[Neighbor/Observer]

I was angry and shocked. I did hear Bobby yelling at the house, so it wasn't like he was sneaking into their yard or whatever, you know what I mean? He was definitely announcing himself. Just seemed like bloody murder.

[Narrator]

None of us ever considered that it would turn violent like this.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

At trial, Kenny Hoyle is found guilty on two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to 66 years in prison.

[Neighbor/Community Member]

Kenny Hoyle was guilty of intentional, willful premeditated killing.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bobby and August's families are left reeling at the loss of their loved ones.

[Neighbor/Friend]

I could sit here for hours and just tell you how good a man Bobby was and the kind of woman that he had in his life.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

Whatever issues these two might have had, this woman was completely separate and completely innocent. It's just sad all around.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Eventually, some normalcy returns to James street, but the damage has been done.

[Narrator]

That was the first real loss of a family that I experienced on the block.

[Neighbor/Friend]

The street's like almost abandoned. There's people still live there, but you see nobody out no more. It's like it made the neighborhood.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Maria Hoyle remains in the home she shared with her husband, keeping to herself.

[Narrator]

That was my second thought was what's going to happen to Maria? Because she was all alone. I worried about her because it was a crazy time.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

If you were to drive by the property today, that shed remains.

[Narrator]

It's just so heavy to think that could have helped smooth things over sooner. Either convinced Bob, leave the old stubborn man alone, or Ken, it's Bobby. He's gonna do what he wants. There's no use fighting him.

[Attorney (Joe Audino or Kelly Hodge)]

There's really no anecdote or lesson, you know, no moral of the story here. You know this was a tragedy.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

This podcast is produced by Cream Productions in association with Fremantle Media and id. You can check out Fear Thy Neighbor on Mac's Discovery and id.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

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[Kenny Hoyle]

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[Neighbor/Friend]

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[Kenny Hoyle]

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[Neighbor/Friend]

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[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

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