Missing paddleboarder found dead during search of pond was killed, Maine cops say
A woman went missing while paddleboarding on a pond in Maine, then was found dead during a search, authorities said.
Sunshine Stewart, 48, of Tenants Harbor, was killed, according to Maine State Police, who are asking the public for more information on her death.
Stewart was paddleboarding near 100 Acre Island on Crawford Pond in Union between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. July 2, state police said in a July 5 news release.
Maine Game Wardens were called to the roughly 590-acre pond to help look for Stewart at around 1:05 a.m. July 3, when a search involving the town’s fire department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office was underway, according to police.
Then Stewart’s body was found, police said. The exact location was not specified by authorities.
Her death was ruled a homicide that day by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, following an autopsy, according to police.
“The cause of death is not being released at this time,” police said.
The investigation into Stewart’s death continues, state police said in a July 7 update.
Detectives “have been pursuing all possible leads and continue to follow every investigative avenue,” a news release said.
“Updates will be provided when appropriate and when they do not compromise the ongoing investigation,” police said.
Authorities are asking anyone who might have seen Stewart paddleboarding on July 2 to reach out to Maine State Police by calling 207-624-7076 or texting MESPTIP to 847411.
Union is about a 75-mile drive northeast from Portland.
This story was originally published July 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Missing paddleboarder found dead during search of pond was killed, Maine cops say."
.jpg)