Local News
Anyone who saw Sunshine Stewart paddleboarding between 6 and 9 p.m. Wednesday is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-624-7076.
Police in Maine are asking for the public’s help after paddleboarder who went missing last week was found murdered.
Sunshine Stewart, of Tenants Harbor was paddleboarding Wednesday evening near 100 Acre Island on Crawford Pond in Union, Maine, according to Maine State Police.
Maine Game Wardens responded to the pond around 1:05 a.m. Thursday to help the Union Fire Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office search for the missing woman. Stewart, 48, was found dead.
Police have not released her cause of death.
Maine State Police encouraged members of the public to “remain vigilant, be aware of their surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
State Police established a tip line for the case Monday. Anyone who saw Stewart paddleboarding between 6 and 9 p.m. Wednesday can contact the Maine State Police at 207-624-7076 or text MESPTIP to 847411.
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“Detectives from Major Crimes Unit Central have been pursuing all possible leads and continue to follow every investigative avenue,” State Police said in a statement.
Stewart grew up in the Union area and attended Medomak Valley High School and Bradford College in Haverhill, according to the Midcoast Villager. A longtime friend told the local outlet that Stewart had rented a camper and was spending the summer at Mic Mac Campground. Friends remembered her as a fierce advocate for human rights and an adventurous spirit, the Villager said.
A GoFundMe, verified by the company, was set up to assist Stewart’s family with memorial arrangements. As of Monday evening, the fundraiser had reached its goal of $15,000.
“Today is a somber day for our family and friends,” the fundraiser said. “We’ve unexpectedly lost the light in our lives that was Sunny.”
Police said additional information will be released “when appropriate and when they do not compromise the ongoing investigation.”
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