Meet Janice Mitchell | Author & Investigator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janice Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janice, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks has been the cornerstone of my life. It started with learning how to survive a harsh and chaotic childhood. This required necessary risk-taking. I learned on my own how to sense potential problems and how to try and stay safe and out of harm’s way. I was a fast learner and developed my three survival rules:  when sensing potential danger keep very still; if spoken to during those times either say nothing or answer with one word but don’t cry; if all else fails – run fast and hide. Less stringent versions of my rules served me pretty well during my teen years and certainly as an investigator where taking legal risks are a necessity in order to solve cases. Not everyone has the stomach for it, especially working as an undercover agent, where I was a natural thanks to my childhood survival rules. The Marine’s have an unofficial slogan, developed during WWII when supplies were scarce, that I absolutely believe is the grist for living: “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome”. Without risk-taking I would not have had the 23-day adventure of leaving home at age 16 (without telling anyone) to go to England to try and meet the Beatles. My book “My Ticket to Ride: How I Ran Away to England to Meet the Beatles and Got Rock and Roll Banned in Cleveland (A True Story From 1964)” unveils the adventure and is supported by international newspaper stories. Without risk-taking I wouldn’t have had an amazing career as an investigator in New York City and in Ohio.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have two career paths:Author and Investigator:

Author: “My Ticket to Ride: How I Ran Away to England to Meet the Beatles and Got Rock and Roll Banned in Cleveland (A True Story From 1964)” is a best selling internationally acclaimed book. It’s the story of my exciting introduction to the Beatles at age 16. From the first moment of hearing “I Want to Hold Your Hand’ on the radio, December 26, 1963. I was instantly transformed into a Beatlemaniac. My best Beatle buddy and I decided to leave our homes and, without telling anyone, fly to London so we could live in the land of the Beatles–“Beatleland”. During the summer we formulated our daring plan and, the morning after the Beatles Concert at the Public Auditorium on September 15, 1964, instead of going to school, we flew TWA to Heathrow Airport. We rented a studio flat and went to the hippest clubs in Soho to listen to live music – the birth of the British Invasion! During our 23 days in London and Liverpool, we had no idea anyone was searching for us. Scotland Yard, was scouring the clubs for us; Missing posters were posted, Scotland Yard was on the search and even the Beatles were looking for us. We later learned the search had become international news. But our adventure and newfound freedom ended when a London police officer spotted me and my boyfriend, Mick, walking hand-in-hand along Oxford Street. The U.S. Embassy arranged to have us returned to the U.S. Cleveland, unlike the London police who viewed our adventure as a lark, had us branded as practically criminals. Girls didn’t step outside the acceptable behaviors. The day after our appearance in juvenile court, the mayor of Cleveland, who sited our behaviour as evidence of the influence of rock and roll music, banned the Beatles and all rock and roll music from public places in Cleveland. I was ordered to never speak of the greatest adventure of my life, ever again. But 50 years later, I decided no one could keep me down anymore and I wrote my story. It’s attracted international attention and is a best seller.

Investigator: During my 50 years of silence about my Beatles journey, I found my natural affinity for adventure, ingenuity, resourcefulness and daring led me to a career in New York City. I was hired by a private investigation company, first as a writer, but quickly stepped into the shoes as an investigator working on high-profile international counterfeit product cases for Rolex, Gucci, Fendi, Hard Rock Cafe, Warner Bros., and others trademarks. I went undercover several times while I obtained crucial evidence. Also, I worked investigations for Legal Aid Society of New York in both the Criminal Appeals Unit and then the Capital Case Unit. My first breaking case was the Jeffrey Blake case, an innocent man who was convicted of a double homicide and was in the 8th year of his 25-life sentence. I found new evidence and a witness that exonerated him. Jeffrey Blake, his attorney, and I were interviewed on Court TV about the case. During the interview, I was dubbed “A Modern Day Nancy Drew”. During my time as a Capital Case Bureau Investigator, I worked high-profile cases, the most famous was the “Carnegie Deli Murders” involving the murder of a dancer from the movie “Flash Dance:” I also became a Federal Investigator and I’m also currently a licensed Private Investigator and a contract background investigator for Dept. of Homeland Security. I’m working on my second book about one of my international counterfeit trademark investigations.

Some of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered as an investigator involved me being the only female on the team and the “boys” not wanting me there. I learned to cut myself away from the herd and work on the most important thing…..solving the case…getting the facts….finding the people involved…not resting until the job is done and done to the best of my ability. That is my reward.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d start off with a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Art Museum, Botanical Gardens then to Little Italy for dinner. Can’t miss a stroll on Coventry in Cleveland Heights and a stop at Tommy’s for a delicious and famous milk shake. Head down to the Flats and go to the Music Box for some great music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to recognize my great aunt Margaret Klein and my great uncle Mac Klein, who without their care, I wouldn’t have made it through a very difficult childhood. Also recognize Sister Rose Henry, principal of Rosemont School; also Dempster Leech, John Gaspar, Nick DiMase, Janet Milton.

Website: Janice-Mitchell.com

Facebook: Jan Mitchell

Other: My book is available on Amazon: My Ticket to Ride: How I Ran Away to England to Meet the Beatles and Got Rock and Roll Banned in Cleveland (A True Story From 1964)” Janice Mitchell