Bio

Thomas Paul West was born on April 28, 1959. He grew up in Kankakee, Illinois. As a child, West experienced a troubled home life. There were reports of abuse in his family, and he faced many challenges throughout his childhood.

West's father was known to be verbally and physically abusive. He had a difficult relationship with his family, which included struggles with alcohol and drugs. By the age of ten, West was already using drugs, which would become a significant part of his life.

Throughout his youth, West had several incidents that suggested he was struggling with various issues. He attended school but had difficulties, only managing to complete up to the ninth grade. He showed signs of behavioral problems and was eventually diagnosed with issues related to substance abuse.

In June 1987, at the age of 28, West moved to Arizona. He stayed with friends initially but was soon involved in criminal activities. These experiences were part of a troubling path that eventually led to the serious crimes he committed later. Despite his troubled past, he had a daughter and had hoped for a better life. However, his history of struggles with addiction and violence marked his early life.

Murder Story

On June 26, 1987, Thomas Paul West and some friends went to the trailer of Donald Lee Bortle, who was selling electronic goods near Tucson, Arizona. Two weeks later, on July 12, 1987, West returned to Bortle's trailer. He tied Bortle up, beat him severely, and took many items from the trailer. West stole Bortle's car and drove to Phoenix with the stolen goods.

While in Phoenix, West talked about what he had done to Bortle with his friends. One of his friends then called the Pima County Sheriff's Office to report the crime and suggested they check on Bortle. On July 17, deputies entered Bortle's trailer and discovered his body, which was bound and gagged. He had died from blunt force injuries to his head.

After the murder, West fled Arizona. He was arrested in Illinois during a traffic stop shortly after, and law enforcement officers found four boxes of Bortle's belongings in the vehicle. West was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree burglary, and theft. He was convicted and sentenced to death on August 1, 1988. Thomas Paul West was executed by lethal injection on July 19, 2011, in Arizona.