Heart disease killed a wheelchair-bound elderly man

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) _ Heart disease killed a wheelchair-bound elderly man whom police believe strangled his live-in companion last month. <br/><br/>Officers found the bodies of Ella W. Boyles and Leland

Saturday, December 18th 2004, 12:05 pm

By: News On 6

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) _ Heart disease killed a wheelchair-bound elderly man whom police believe strangled his live-in companion last month.

Officers found the bodies of Ella W. Boyles and Leland Alford Nov. 12 in separate bedrooms at a Claremore home.

According to an autopsy, Boyles, 51, died from strangulation by ligature and had ``sharp force injuries'' on her body.

Alford, 82, died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or hardening of the arteries, said a spokeswoman with the state Medical Examiner's Office. He also had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Police Chief Mickey Perry said Friday he believes Alford was responsible for Boyles' death and there are no other suspects in the crime.

Authorities had responded to several domestic calls at the home in the past, he said.

Boyles' 28-year-old daughter, Chaka Falana Boyles, 28, was killed in a traffic crash near Claremore shortly after learning of her mother's death.