INVESTIGATORS have announced a stunning development in the strangling death of a 48-year-old paddleboarder.
Police are unraveling the disturbing truth behind the death of Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart, whose body washed up on an island one day after going out on a pond in Maine.
Sunshine Stewart, 48, disappeared on July 2 after going paddleboarding at Crawford Pond in Maine[/caption]
Her body was found one day later, washed up on an island in the middle of the water[/caption]
Cops are unraveling the disturbing truth behind her death[/caption]
On July 2, Stewart, who lives in Maine, went to Crawford Pond in Union, about 45 minutes east of Augusta, to paddleboard.
She was reported missing by a friend hours later when she didn’t return from her trip.
The following morning, first responders found her body on an island that sits in the middle of the water and can only be accessed by boat.
On July 5, the Main State Police Major Crimes Unit deemed her death a homicide, despite officials initially saying she drowned.
Now, investigators have cuffed a suspect and announced that he is a 17-year-old boy.
Little is known about the alleged killer, but one official close to the matter said that he spends vacation time in the area each summer with his family, ABC News reported.
Officials aren’t releasing his identity because he is a minor. He’s now behind bars at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, state police said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta also confirmed Thursday that Stewart died from blunt force trauma and strangulation.
Rachael Blumenberg, a friend of Stewart who was staying with her when she went missing, said she was relieved and heartbroken to hear the news.
“I am floored with elation and grief,” she told ABC affiliate WMTW.
FRIENDS HEARTBROKEN
Stewart, who lived in Tenants Harbor, about 30 minutes south of the pond, was a former marine biologist and skilled paddleboarder.
Blumenberg said that she was preparing to host a family at a campground for the Fourth of July weekend when she disappeared.
The heartbroken friend said that she knew something was wrong when she got to Stewart’s home the night of July 2 and saw the lights were off.
“The house was completely dark, and her dog was there,” she told WMTW.
“She’s very devoted to her dog.”
Stewart’s sister Kim Ware lovingly referred to her as “Captain Sunny” and said that she had worked as a lobsterman, contractor, and boat captain throughout her adventurous life.
“Captain Sunny was an amazing person,” Ware said, describing Stewart as someone who “would give you the shirt off her back.”
“The strongest person I know.”
She’s been remembered as kind and adventurous[/caption]
Ware said that her sister was always helping people when she wasn’t hiking, boating, paddleboarding, or doing yoga.
“Anyone blessed to be in her presence was in awe of her, her strength, courage, character, her energy and light,” she said.
“To know Sunny is an amazing blessing. My sister and my best friend.
“The aunt that stepped up to help me raise her nephews. She has so many that call her family. Truly an amazing woman. Now we have to rally and give her justice.”
A different friend, Sarah Vokey, said that Stewart was always positive despite not having an easy life.
“One of the many reasons I admired, loved, and appreciated her.
“One of the hardest things I have ever written was the text I sent to my son, ‘Sunshine was murdered.’”
