Maine teen allegedly tried to kill grandma with hatchet to 'put her out of her misery'
08/21/2025 12:19 pm PDT
GLENBURN, Maine (TCN) -- A teen allegedly tried to kill his grandmother with a hatchet and a knife and claimed "demons" told him to do it.
The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to Pushaw Road on Aug. 17 to a report of a possible assault. Allegedly, 19-year-old Ethan Herbert struck a 59-year-old family member, who the Maine Wire reports is his grandmother, with a hatchet.
Herbert fled the scene before deputies arrived but was arrested shortly after. His grandmother was reportedly transported to a hospital via ambulance with critical injuries, and a part of her skull was removed.
According to the Maine Wire, in an interview with police, Herbert said his "demons" told him to "just do it, kill her, put her out of her misery," and he blamed "the Grim Reaper" for making him attack his grandmother.
The victim was allegedly trying to keep Herbert from fighting with his grandfather. They had reportedly banned Herbert from their home prior to the fight.
The victim told police that her grandson said, "I’m sorry, Grammie, but I have to," during the alleged attack, the Maine Wire reports. Allegedly, Herbert then walked toward his grandma with a "hatchet, swinging it violently at her head and arms."
Herbert faces charges of domestic violence — aggravated assault, domestic violence — elevated aggravated assault, and attempted murder.
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