James B. Morrill, age 10, appeared on the cover of the Portland Evening Express on June 15, 1935. James’s father Herbert Morrill was missing for approximately a week before he was found in the basement of the family home in West Falmouth, in an improvised grave.

Mrs. Mary E. Morrill, 53 year old wife of the victim was arrested on the charge of murdering her husband. James admitted to police that his mother had told him that she killed his father with an ax, and told them where the body could be found.