Joey Coyle, 40, Dies; Philadelphian Took Armored Car's Cash
By ERIC PACE
Published: August 16, 1993
Joseph William Coyle, who gained fame after picking up $1.2 million that tumbled from an armored car in 1981, was found dead yesterday at his home in Philadelphia. He was 40.
Mr. Coyle, an unemployed longshoreman who spent large amounts of the money that he and two friends picked up, hanged himself with an electrical cord, said Robert Whalen , a detective with the Philadelphia police, according to The Associated Press.
Police officials said relatives described Mr. Coyle as still deeply grieving for his mother, who died in 1981. In addition, Mr. Coyle, who was known as Joey, had recently been convicted in a drug case. It was his sixth drug conviction, and he was to be sentenced next month.
A movie based on Mr. Coyle's experiences will be released Sept. 10. Its director, Ramon Menendez, has said he wanted the film to illustrate "what it means for a kid like that to find money." He added, "He thinks he has choices, but the money makes him paranoid."