A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the homicide of Sunshine Stewart, a 48-year-old woman from Maine, whose body was found after she went missing while paddleboarding on Crawford Pond. The teen’s arrest marks a significant development in the investigation that has left the local community in shock.
The Discovery of Sunshine Stewart’s Body
Sunshine Stewart was last seen paddleboarding on Crawford Pond in Union, Maine, on the evening of July 2, 2024. She was staying at a nearby campsite and failed to return by the evening.
Authorities began searching for her, and her body was discovered around 1 a.m. the following day on 100 Acre Island, located in the center of the pond. The cause of death was determined to be strangulation and blunt force trauma, and the death was ruled a homicide.
The Investigation and Arrest
Maine State Police have confirmed that a 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection to the homicide on Wednesday, July 12.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was taken to a juvenile detention center in South Portland, Maine. The charges against the teenager have not been specified, and authorities have not disclosed further details.
Police had initially asked men living near Crawford Pond to voluntarily submit DNA samples as part of their investigation. The area where Stewart’s body was found is mostly private property, and the Mic Mac Campground, where she had launched her paddleboard, requires permission and a fee to use the facilities.
The arrest came after a week of heightened fear and growing attention from both the public and the media. The investigation was described as the result of “relentless investigative work” by the police, according to a statement from the Maine State Police.
Details of the Area and the Crime
Crawford Pond, a long and narrow body of water in Union, Maine, is largely surrounded by privately-owned land. 100 Acre Island, where Stewart’s body was found, is primarily owned by the Georges River Land Trust.
The trust maintains a nature trail for visitors during the day but requires special permission for overnight stays. The night Stewart died, a family of four was camping on the island, but they were reportedly unaware of the crime at the time.
The mother of the camping family mentioned that when she asked if it was safe to stay, authorities assured them that it was. It wasn’t until days later that they learned about the tragic homicide. This incident has raised concerns in the small town of Union, where about 2,300 people live, with many residents fearing for their safety.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The Maine State Police have continued to request that anyone with relevant information about Stewart’s death come forward. The homicide investigation has garnered significant attention in the community, especially as many residents of Union and surrounding areas were unaware of the serious nature of the crime until later.
The arrest of the 17-year-old boy in this case has shaken the local community, and it remains one of the most unusual and shocking cases for the reporters and officials involved. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have promised to provide more information as it becomes available.
This tragic case has deeply impacted the small town of Union and raised significant concerns about safety in the Crawford Pond area.
With the arrest of a minor, the investigation is far from over, and many questions remain about the circumstances surrounding Sunshine Stewart’s death. Authorities continue to seek additional information as they work to understand the full details of the case.
