‘He killed my father’ says sister of man wanted in connection with Newport slaying
10/30/09 | 26 comments
update

‘He killed my father’ says sister of man wanted in connection with Newport slaying


Brother reportedly left psychiatric hospital day of slaying
By Christopher Cousins
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY BRIDGET BROWN
Law enforcement officials including (from left) Penobscot County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Troy Morton, Maine State Police Lt. Wes Hussey and Maine State Police Lt. Jackie Theriault talk to the media in Newport on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 about their search for Perley Goodrich Jr., 45, who is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting of his father, Perley Goodrich Sr., 76, both of Newport.

NEWPORT, Maine — Perley Goodrich Jr., who is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting death of his father Monday night, had been in a psychiatric hospital the day of the attack, according to Nancy Watson, his sister.

“Right after my brother was released from the hospital he went home and killed my father,” Watson said Thursday during a brief interview with the Bangor Daily News.

Watson said her mother, Sandra Goodrich, 64, took Goodrich Jr., 45, to Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield on Monday because she feared Goodrich Jr. would become violent.

“My mother knew something was wrong with him,” Watson said. “This shouldn’t have happened.”

Terry Vieira, vice president of operations for Sebasticook Valley Hospital, said Goodrich Jr. was at the hospital on Sunday, not Monday.

“[Goodrich Jr.] has not been seen at Sebasticook Valley Hospital since Sunday, Oct. 25 at about 4 p.m., at which time he was transferred by ambulance to another health care facility,” said Vieira in a prepared statement relayed to the Bangor Daily News by a hospital spokeswoman. “Because of federal and state confidentiality laws, we are prohibited from discussing or disclosing any information about his diagnosis or treatment at this facility. We are also prohibited from disclosing the facility to which he was transferred or the reason for the transfer.”

When asked, Watson said she believed her brother had been moved from Sebasticook Valley Hospital to a “mental hospital” in Bangor.

Spokespeople at Acadia Hospital and Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, two Bangor facilities that specialize in mental health treatment, told the Bangor Daily News Thursday that they couldn’t provide any information about whether Goodrich Jr. was or wasn’t a patient at any time.

Another person, Larry Drayall of Camden, who knows the Goodrich family because he was once married to a relative of Sandra Goodrich, said he also heard from family members that Goodrich Jr. had been taken to a psychiatric hospital in Bangor.

“I was quite shocked about all of this,” said Drayall, who blames the mental health system for failing to avert Monday’s tragedy. “I’d heard that Perley had been having outbursts of anger.”

Although it was unclear under what circumstances Goodrich Jr. left medical care, Watson also blamed the mental health system for releasing her brother in such a dangerous condition.

“My mother said she feared for her safety,” Watson said.

“Maybe if more people had taken my mother more seriously, this wouldn’t have happened,” said a visibly distraught Watson as police continued their search Thursday for Goodrich Jr.

Goodrich Jr. has been missing since Monday night’s attack, which occurred at about 11:40 p.m. Police found the 76-year-old Perley Goodrich Sr. dead in the family’s 146 Rutland Road home, and Sandra Goodrich, who also was attacked Monday night, is recovering from severe wounds to her head and face, according to police.

Investigators believe Goodrich Jr., fled in the family’s minivan toting more than one firearm. They found the minivan at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, but have yet to locate the man.

The search intensified Wednesday afternoon when an officer on patrol near the end of Pratt Road said someone crossed the trail ahead of him. Authorities called off the search at about 3 a.m. Thursday without having turned up any sign of Goodrich Jr. or the person seen by the officer. Cruisers and SUVs from various law enforcement agencies continued to maintain stepped up patrols in the northern Newport area throughout the day Thursday

The area that was searched is popular with deer hunters, prompting authorities to appeal to them for help in identifying anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. Maine’s deer season for firearms begins Saturday.

Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said Thursday evening that Goodrich Jr. was still at large. Asked what authorities will do next, McCausland declined to discuss strategy.

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Comments
26 comments on this item
On 10/29/09 at 12:19 PM, SeaDogsFan wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hopefully they find this guy by Halloween... If for no other reason than peace of mind. My best guess is this guy isn't very smart, just moving around and getting lucky.

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On 10/29/09 at 12:23 PM, SeaDogsFan wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Also, I can go from Pittsfield to Newport, on foot, in about 2 hours and I'm slow. Monday-Thursaday, I could probably go 200 miles or more at that rate =\

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On 10/29/09 at 12:24 PM, RileyB wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

they must still be looking for this guy the police have been by here 100 times today.

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On 10/29/09 at 12:29 PM, Teleskiah wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I feel so bad for the people who are living in fear while this man roams freely...For their peace of mind, I hope this man turns up soon!

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On 10/29/09 at 12:33 PM, RileyB wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

im not living in fear and most on my road are not, "we have shot guns and dogs",.the older lady up the road is staying with us untill he is cought.

she's a lil freaked out.

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On 10/29/09 at 12:38 PM, concernsme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'm just tired of airplanes and sirens. We're used to the quiet.

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On 10/29/09 at 12:46 PM, SpecialEd wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

3 days? He's in Disneyworld by now.

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On 10/29/09 at 1:10 PM, irishproud wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The week leading up to last Halloween there was a manhunt for someone in my neck of the woods. The Hoffland dude who ended up going to the Stockton Springs Elementary School. Maybe its something about this time of year that brings up the nut jobs. Love the look of the bored Tactical team. All dressed up and no place to go. Poor cops saddened they cant find anyone to shoot.

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On 10/29/09 at 2:46 PM, retiredfarmer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How many deer hunters out there will be opening the old camp up in that area this weekend, with an accused murderer in the woods?

Venison and a good hunt would be postponed in my world.

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On 10/29/09 at 2:56 PM, concernsme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Not in this world. Remember they will all be armed.

Mostly they'll be mad about all the commotion disturbing the deer too much.

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On 10/29/09 at 2:57 PM, shroomtour04 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Holy crap, call Obama and his administration, with an extra fee from the hunters (and all else who'd care to participate), they can wear NVGs (night vision goggles) and not only hunt a deer but a man too! What fun. Broadcast this stuff on paper per view TV, take the proceeds and BOOM, there is the money for our health care crisis. Not REALity but ACTUALity.

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On 10/29/09 at 4:56 PM, esmithsc wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I heard he has broken into a camp near Brooks pond and the police will do another search tomorrow.

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On 10/29/09 at 5:32 PM, REALITY wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

with my job i only have 4 days out of a month to hunt, and this would not stop me from going to my camp, i wouldn't take my kids or put my family in danger, if everyone is so worried do a civilian search as well take the law in your own hands like the old days, stand up for yourselves and your neighborhood, if you hear a rumor about the guy it may be true and knowone has mentioned it to the police, i'm sure they are open to listen to all tips, 2 years ago they caught a kid behind my house hiding in a boat, lock your doors, take your safety keys from outside and lock your windows, do perimeter searches and always expect that their maybe eyes watching how you get in and out of your house. I believe that when this is over the guy will stop fighting and be found dead like the morning article said from a local businessmen said who knew the guy, but we will see stay safe newport!!!

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On 10/29/09 at 7:44 PM, olmainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

has anybody searched the area around the residence lately ,if hes found dead ,my thoughts he would go back to that area 1st

prob knows that area the best ,just a thought

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On 10/29/09 at 8:32 PM, daizymaine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I don't understand IrishProud? "All dressed up and no place to go. Poor cops saddened they can't find anyone to shoot." Shane on you! Do you own a police scanner? Have you ever listened to a day's worth of calls these policemen respond to? Half a tactical team's time is spent waiting, being called out only to be sent back, I imagine you can't understand how stressful that is. They are not waiting to shoot someone, they are waiting to serve and protect, it's their job! Take a good look at their young faces, and remember they are brothers, sons, husbands and fathers and not to forget daughters, wives, mothers and sisters, taking on the responsibility of a job they trained hard to do. These are the heroes that when the chips are down, everyone calls on, because they will come to help. Be careful law enforcement officers out there, take care of each other, and watch your backs.

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On 10/29/09 at 9:15 PM, busymominmaine207 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well to be honest deer hunting is not going to be stopped by this guy but the hunters may be upset by all the commotions going on and all they may not

want it to continue and take care of it themselves...

But I don't forsee any dear hunter stopping everything to not go deer hunting because of this..

I don't live to far from Corrinna and/or Kenduskeag so we will see if he comes around my building we are also gun owners and have dogs..

nothing surprises me anymore in Maine.

He can keep running they will catch him one way or another.. they have nothing else better to do this keeps them busy! LOL :)

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On 10/29/09 at 11:15 PM, busymominmaine207 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

aww i was wondering about that.. now it is understandable he should of been in psychiatric care and help.. and did not get it for whatever reasons.. that is where it all failed.. that is a shame.. well all i have to say is I have a good feeling the police department will find him and very soon.. they are always good at catching these guys.. as stated before they have nothing else to do as back west does... with crime so abundant there! but when something like this comes about they are on it and don't give up till they got the person involved!

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On 10/30/09 at 12:41 AM, ctryblonde wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I live in the Corinna area ~ I cant look in the woods behind my home and wonder if he is there

Its hard and its been a long while since I have slept. The air search is quiet tonight. The news hasnt mentioned Corinna School ~ which is closer to the search area or how Corinna & Stetson residents are dealing with this. I agree w the other poster lets combine the search with deer hunting season. Police are everywhere and I hope they catch him.

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On 10/30/09 at 12:48 AM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Such a tragedy... perhaps during the transfer from one hospital to another he got away. He also could have been released from the second hospital... happens all the time... especially if you don't have good insurance.

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On 10/30/09 at 1:56 AM, ctryblonde wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well sounds like they caught him :) I am sure we will learn more by morning

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On 10/30/09 at 5:23 AM, JennHamm wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It is sad that with mental illness you just never know what can happen. It really does sound like this man should not have been released from the hospital. Why is it with mental illness it always gets worse before something is done. The system is failing us somewheres! Don't we have mental facilities for a reason! I have mentally ill family members and have seen what famlies go through before something is done. And to be quite honest if he is mentally ill and violent, I am thinking they might not find him alive. My condonlences to the family, this is a very sad situation for everyone involved.

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On 10/30/09 at 6:29 AM, otisfieldman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

he was caught in newport this morning having a coffee at irvings

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On 10/30/09 at 6:45 AM, deerhunter wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

i,ll be staying in newport next week and will be hunting. hope they find this guy soon as i don,t want to worry about bumping into him unexpectigly.

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On 10/30/09 at 3:51 PM, Hampden1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Its obvious this guy needed help and still does. He walks right in the the Irving Restaurant for coffee and water. Once police handcuff him he requests they take money out of his pocket to pay for the coffee. Mental Illness is no laughing matter! A family has been torned apart here. What a nighmare!!

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On 10/30/09 at 5:39 PM, Amanda1982 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Thank you Dryall for what you said regarding him leaving the mental health center and how if he would of stayed this may of not happened. Let me tell you..from being laid off from two different mental health agencies due to closure because of state funding its a sad, scary thing. I had to witness people who definately should of not been out in the "real world" be set free because they had no place for them to go...nor any funding.

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On 10/31/09 at 9:34 AM, irenem wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

who the hell caes about records client privileges Spokespeople at Acadia Hospital and Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, two Bangor facilities that specialize in mental health treatment, told the Bangor Daily News Thursday that they couldn’t provide any information about whether Goodrich Jr. was or wasn’t a patient at any time. you let out a person out now he has killed and badly bruised his mom he needs to be put away forever i don't care where you put him as long as he gets life

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