In July of 1954 12-year-old Daniel "Danny" Wood Jr. left his home in South Gray, Maine. He was planning on fishing with his friends. His friend only lived a mile down the road. Later he phoned from the Gray Center and told his Mom of his plans that day. He said he was going to Lewiston and help a man with door-to-door calls for 50 cents per hour. She warned her son not to get into a car with a stranger. He then responded everything was alright and to see her later. This was the last time she heard from her son.
A search for the boy began. 16 states were notified of his disappearance and to be on the lookout for him. His family had to be careful with the male in case a ransom letter came. People called in many tips on where the boy was, but none of them were true.
It wasn't till nine days after his disappearance fishermen found his body in Little Androscoggin River. He was nude and severely beaten, and it was unknown if it was a sex crime. His clothes were found hidden beneath a rock at the end of a secluded lane and his glasses and belt were tossed into a tree. It could be possible the killer was familiar with the area.
Danny had been severely beaten by his killer. There was a shoelace on one wrist showing his hands had been bound. His skull bore seven wounds about four inches long the weapon used was never found. It's unknown where the crime scene of the murder was as there was no evidence it had happened there. It's believed the killer tossed him in after Danny died.
They did have a suspect named Herman Barmore. Police asked if he about Daniel, but he stated anything he knew was going to the grave with him. He had served a life sentence for the murder of another boy named Peter Gorman in 1955. He initially said it was an accident he shot the boy, and then he redacted saying the Sheriff offered a deal. He was convicted of the murder. He would only serve 11 years as he died in prison in 1966. He denied killing either boy though.
Maine State Police
Find A Grave
The Owosso-Argus Press
Ludington Daily News
Google Groups
Lewiston Daily Sun
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