A 17-year-old Maine camper who joined the search for a missing paddleboarder has been charged with her murder, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community.
At a Glance
- Sunshine Stewart, 48, vanished on July 2 while paddleboarding near a Maine campground.
- Her body was found a day later with signs of blunt force trauma and strangulation.
- Deven Young, 17, volunteered in the search and misled police away from the crime scene.
- He was arrested on July 16 and is charged with murder.
- Prosecutors are petitioning to try Young as an adult.
Chilling Turn in Tranquil Campground
What began as a peaceful summer day at Crawford Pond spiraled into horror when Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart, a 48-year-old paddleboarder from Massachusetts, failed to return from a solo outing near the Mic Mac Family Campground in Maine. Her body was found the next morning on a wooded island, revealing signs of blunt force trauma and strangulation.
As the search intensified, one teenager at the campground, 17-year-old Deven Young, emerged as a helpful presence. He offered to guide police to supposed clues and spent hours volunteering on the lake. But his helpfulness masked something darker—he led investigators in the wrong direction, away from the very island where Stewart’s body lay.
Watch: Teen Charged With Paddleboarder Murder Led Authorities On Wild Goose Chase
From Volunteer to Suspect
Young’s behavior soon raised suspicions. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage showing him near the water around the time of Stewart’s disappearance. When asked about his movements, inconsistencies emerged. A deeper probe into his social media revealed a jarring post days after the murder: “I’m doing well.”
On July 16, Young was arrested and charged with murder. He remains in custody pending a court decision on whether he will be tried as an adult. Prosecutors cite the severity and premeditation of the crime as justification for adult prosecution, which could carry a sentence of 25 years to life.
Community Remains Stunned
The Mic Mac campground community remains stunned. Campground staff described Young as quiet and polite, with no prior behavioral issues. Authorities are still reviewing campsite records, phone data, and witness statements to determine the full timeline and possible motive.
The case has prompted new safety discussions at summer campgrounds, particularly around solo outdoor activities and background checks. As Maine’s legal system prepares for a potentially high-profile trial, Stewart’s family and supporters continue to call for accountability—and answers in the wake of this deeply unsettling betrayal.
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