Maine Paddleboarder Murder Mystery: Killer Still at Large!
Colaboradores
A shocking discovery has rocked the quiet town of Union, Maine. Sunshine "Sunny" Stewart, 48, a paddleboarder who went missing last week on Crawford Pond, was murdered. Maine State Police confirmed the homicide on Monday, leaving the community in a state of disbelief and fear as the search for her killer intensifies.
Unusual Circumstances Surround the Discovery
Stewart's body was found last Thursday under what officials described as "unusual circumstances," leading investigators to quickly rule out both suicide and accidental drowning. While the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta has determined the manner of death to be a homicide, the specific cause of death has not been released to the public, adding another layer of mystery to the case.
Police Pursue All Leads
Maine State Police are diligently pursuing "all possible leads" and exploring "every investigative avenue" to bring Stewart's killer to justice. This includes a thorough perimeter check of the area, canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance footage, and interviewing potential witnesses. Authorities even searched a dumpster at the Mic Mac campground near Crawford Pond, where Stewart was a seasonal resident.
According to local news affiliate WGME, Kate Hamar, a resident of the area, expressed the community's shock, stating, "At first, a lot of people thought it was a boating accident. It's left everybody pretty shaken." Kathy Lunt, owner of Mic Mac campground, said she contacted police after Stewart’s roommate became concerned when she didn’t return from her paddleboarding trip on Wednesday evening.
Community Mourns Loss
Meredith Smith, a Union resident who knew Stewart, described her as "a great, great person all-around." She added, "To know Sunny, I don't think she had a bad bone in her body, and anyone that knew her was just in awe of her." A GoFundMe campaign launched in Stewart's memory has already raised over $17,000, demonstrating the impact she had on the community.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen Stewart paddleboarding near 100 Acre Island on Crawford Pond between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2nd, to contact the Maine State Police at 207-624-7076. They also encourage residents to remain aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior.