Teen Suspect Charged in Death of Sunshine Stewart, Maine Paddleboarder Killed Near Crawford Pond
Union, Maine – A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged in the shocking death of 48-year-old Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart, whose body was discovered earlier this month on a remote island in Crawford Pond, located in the quiet town of Union, Maine.
Stewart, known for her adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors, had embarked on a solo paddleboarding trip on July 3, 2025. When she failed to return, a search began that ended in tragedy: her body was found days later, and an autopsy later confirmed the cause of death as strangulation and blunt force trauma, according to the Maine State Police and the Attorney General’s Office.
Both Stewart and the teenage suspect were staying at Mic Mac Campground, a peaceful vacation spot in Union, at the time of the incident. The owner of the campground, Katharine Lunt, told ABC News that the crime deeply rattled the community.
“This isn’t a place where people are suspicious of each other,” Lunt said. “We weren’t expecting to be looking for a child.”
Authorities spent nearly two weeks combing through evidence and surveillance footage. Lunt herself reviewed hours of campground video, searching for signs of an unfamiliar adult. The teenager, she recalled, was eager to participate in the investigation—offering to help with pets, doing small chores, and even crafting items for fellow campers.
But what appeared to be innocent behavior was later revealed to be a disturbing attempt to mislead. According to Lunt, the teen once volunteered to take searchers onto the lake, claiming he had vital information. The trip turned out to be a false lead—described as a “wild goose chase”—that misdirected investigators from the actual location of Stewart’s body.
Despite behaving normally during the search, the teenager was eventually questioned by police for several hours before being arrested later that day. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him on the lake at the time of the alleged killing, returning to shore before sunset.
“He was not on anybody’s radar,” Lunt said. “It’s haunting. I have nothing nice to say. It’s disgusting.”
The suspect, who is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility in the Portland area, made a court appearance on Friday, where he entered a denial to the charge. A status conference is scheduled for August 22. Prosecutors have confirmed they will seek to have the teen tried as an adult—a move that could carry a maximum sentence of 25 years to life if convicted.
While the investigation continues and a motive remains unclear, the community and Stewart’s loved ones are still grappling with the loss of someone remembered as vibrant, loyal, and full of life.
“She was a wonderful friend,” said Bethany Leach Parmley, who had known Stewart for years. “She was fun, funny, and you always had a good time when she was around.”
Stewart’s death has sent shockwaves through the Union and Leduc communities, prompting renewed discussions about campground safety and juvenile justice.
The Maine Attorney General’s Office has yet to comment further as details of the case unfold. Anyone with additional information related to the incident is encouraged to contact state authorities.
