Whittier: Murder or mishap?

Three years after the death of her son, Melody Grell is still seeking answers.

On Feb. 18, 2007, the day after the Navarre Beach Mardi Gras parade, the Rev.

John Kerns was passing by Juana's Pagodas on his way to set up for his church service on Navarre Beach.

Upon noticing a lifeless person lying in the sand near the water's edge, Kerns approached the body.

It was that of 21-year-old Navarre resident Joshua Whittier, Grell's son.

"He was at the water's edge and the water was coming up to him," Kerns said. 

"He was sopping wet and covered in sand. He looked like he washed ashore."

According to an initial police report compiled by Santa Rosa County

Sheriff's Deputy Jerry Salter, Whittier was lying face-down in the sand. His shirt and jacket were wrapped around his arms and head, leaving the lower portion of his face visible.

For more on this story, see the Feb. 18 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.