Item 103776info Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media
The Morrill Axe Murder (1935)
On June 8, 1935, authorities discovered the mutilated body of Herbert L. Morrill, 66, partially buried in the cellar of his West Falmouth home after his 10-year-old son, James B. Morrill, led them to the grave he allegedly helped his mother dig. The discovery ended a weeklong search for the victim.
Mary E. Morrill, 53, was charged with the murder of her husband and taken to the County Jail, where she reportedly admitted striking him with a club. An autopsy performed by Dr. Wilbur F. Leighton revealed far more brutal injuries, including a fractured skull, crushed larynx, three deep neck wounds—one severing the spine—a fractured jaw, a chin gash, and punctures in the left cheek. The Portland Press Herald described it as "Body Badly Battered."
