A beloved paddleboarder is found dead on the quiet waters of rural Maine, and the authorities are keeping the cause of her death as tightly sealed as the evidence locker—leaving an entire community demanding answers and fearing far worse.
At a Glance
- Sunshine Stewart, a well-known seasonal camper and paddleboarder, was found slain on July 3, 2025, near 100 Acre Island in Union, Maine.
- Law enforcement classified the death as a homicide, but has not released the cause or manner of death, fueling speculation and fear among residents.
- Police have no suspects, no motive, and are urging the public for information; the investigation remains active with daily police presence at the crime scene.
- The community is rattled, with concerns about broader threats and declining trust in local safety and transparency.
A Summer Night Turns Tragic on Crawford Pond
Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart, 48, was the kind of person who was as much a fixture at the Mic Mac Campground as the pine trees and the loons calling across Crawford Pond. On July 2, she set out for a solo paddle at dusk—something she’d done a hundred times before. Hours later, she was missing. By 1 a.m., police found her body near 100 Acre Island, a remote patch of woods reachable only by boat. The Maine State Police wasted no time labeling it a homicide, but since then, the details have dried up faster than last summer’s rain.
Paddleboarder murdered in quiet Maine town.
Victim Sunshine Stewart's friend tells me she was a wonderful woman with no enemies.
Who killed Sunshine? pic.twitter.com/mjI2GPuYyO— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 12, 2025
The secrecy and lack of answers have left the people of Union, Maine, not only mourning a friend but also looking over their shoulders. In a place where residents leave their doors unlocked and newcomers stick out like a sore thumb, the idea that someone could be murdered during a peaceful paddle has shattered the illusion of small-town security.
Killer on the loose after murder of paddleboarder, Maine officials warn
An Investigation Cloaked in Silence and Anxiety
From the moment Stewart’s body was discovered, Maine State Police took command of the scene, canvassing the area, scouring dumpsters, and eventually towing Stewart’s car for evidence. Police have asked anyone who was near 100 Acre Island between 6 and 9 p.m. on July 2 to come forward, which is about as specific as a horoscope. The cause of death remains undisclosed, a move that’s supposed to “protect the investigation,” but instead has only fueled rumors and suspicions.
With no suspects named, no arrests, and not even a whisper of motive, residents are left to fill in the blanks. Some in the community have voiced fears of a potential serial killer, a claim neither confirmed nor denied by law enforcement who remain as silent as a jury during deliberations. Patrols have increased, but so has the anxiety. Families who once spent summers swimming and camping are now second-guessing their vacation plans, and local businesses worry that the pall over the pond will drive away much-needed tourism dollars.
Community on Edge as Speculation Grows
The shockwaves from Stewart’s murder have reached far beyond the shorelines of Crawford Pond. Her family and friends are left grieving, while fellow campers and neighbors are grappling with a reality they never thought possible in their tight-knit community. The media, sensing a story as murky as the pond itself, has swarmed Union, amplifying both the mystery and the dread.
Law enforcement has urged vigilance and asked the public to report anything suspicious, but with no clear answers, that vigilance teeters on paranoia. The longer the investigation drags on without resolution, the more the community’s trust erodes—not just in their own safety, but in the ability of officials to provide transparency and closure.
Economic and Social Fallout Linger
Beyond the immediate grief and fear, the ripple effects of Stewart’s homicide are being felt in every corner of Union. Campground bookings are slipping as would-be visitors rethink their plans. Local businesses brace for a long, lean summer. And the sense of community, that intangible glue holding small towns together, has started to fray. Sociologists and crime experts point out that when violent crime invades a rural sanctuary, suspicion and rumor thrive, often doing as much damage as the crime itself.
While the investigation continues, the question remains: how long before the people of Union can reclaim their peace of mind? With law enforcement holding their cards close to the vest, and the killer—or killers—still out there, the only thing spreading faster than fear is the frustration of a community desperate for answers.
