Dark History: The Case of Naomi Etta Mitchell
Naomi Mitchell, holding her younger sibling
When 14-year-old Naomi Etta Mitchell vanished on her walk to the general store, the tiny town of Carmel, ME mobilized overnight. Neighbors scoured the woods, lanterns in hand, until their worst fear was confirmed—Naomi’s body had been found.
Suspicion fell almost immediately on J. Sherman Gray, the man witnesses had seen trailing her that night. But before authorities could close in, Sherman disappeared.
Now, with each passing day, frustration in Carmel was boiling over. If the law didn’t catch Sherman soon, the townspeople were prepared to deliver their own brand of justice, no matter the outcome.
This text has been adapted from the Murder, She Told podcast episode, Dark History: The Case of Naomi Etta Mitchell. To hear Naomi’s full story, find Murder, She Told on your favorite podcast platform.
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Mason's Store, Fuller Road, Carmel, ME (Sun Journal)
Naomi Mitchell and family (Boston Post)
Naomi Mitchell’s family home, Irish Road/Pomeroy Way, Carmel, ME (Boston Post)
Naomi Mitchell’s family home, Irish Road/Pomeroy Way, Carmel, ME (Sun Journal)
Sherman Gray, unknown newspaper source (findagrave.com)
Gravestone of Naomi Etta Mitchell (findagrave.com)
Sources For This Episode
Newspaper articles
Various articles from Bangor Daily News, Biddeford-Saco Journal, Boston Globe, Boston Post, Independent-Reporter, Kennebec Journal, Lewiston Daily Sun, Montrose Daily Press, Morning Sentinel, New York Times, and the Sun-Journal, here.
Written by various authors including Jackie Farwell, Doug Kesseli, and Sam Conner.
Online written sources
'Sherman Jasper Gray' (Find a Grave), 3/14/2019, by Lisa Palmeri
'Naomi Etta Mitchell' (Find a Grave), 7/24/2019, by Cheryl
Photos
Photos as credited above.
Credits
Research, vocal performance, and audio editing by Kristen Seavey
Research, photo editing, and writing by Byron Willis
Additional research by Bridget Rowley and Kimberly Thompson.
Writing by Ryan George.
Murder, She Told is created by Kristen Seavey.