In the quiet town of Waterville, Maine, a dark tragedy unfolded on March 8, 1954, forever altering the lives of the Fisher family. On that day, four-year-old Daniel Fisher, a young Caucasian boy, was found deceased in his bed, appearing at first as though he were merely asleep. The grim discovery was made by his father, Carl Fisher, who had returned home from his job at the Maine Central Railroad to find the door locked. A sense of unease prompted him to seek help from the family physician, Dr.
Richard Chasse, who had been treating his wife for depression.
Together, the two men forced their way into the home. Inside, a chilling silence had replaced the usual sounds of a young family. In the bedroom, Carl Fisher discovered not only Daniel but also his sister, Deborah, tucked into their beds. The horror intensified when he entered the bathroom and found his eldest son, Richard, had been drowned in the bathtub.
The search for their mother, Constance Fisher, ended when she was found in a semi-conscious state, curled up under a bed. She was taken to Thayer Hospital where doctors saved her life. It was soon revealed that Constance, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had killed her three children. She would later tell detectives, "I've had trouble. I can't take care of the baby. and now they're all in heaven."
Constance Fisher was charged with three counts of murder. During the legal proceedings, it was determined that she had experienced a psychotic break. Testimonies from medical experts led to a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. She was subsequently committed to the Augusta State Hospital. The tragic events of that March day left a permanent scar on the community and a devastating void in the Fisher family.
