Maine
New England serial killer fears grip coastal town after paddleboarder’s ‘terrifying’ murder
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One week after a Maine paddleboarder was found murdered in a local neighborhood pond, members of the community are left searching for answers as fears of a potential serial killer grips the sleepy coastal town.
The body of 48-year-old Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart was discovered in the early morning of July 3, just six hours after she had left for a solo paddleboarding trip around Crawford Pond, according to the Maine State Police.
Stewart’s remains were reportedly found near 100 Acre Island, a wooded area accessible only by boat, according to WMTW 8.
NEW ENGLAND SERIAL KILLER FEARS REIGNITED AFTER PADDLEBOARDER’S MURDER IN QUIET COASTAL TOWN
Crawford Pond is seen on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Union, Maine. Police are investigating the murder of a woman last seen paddleboarding on the pond. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Officials have remained tight-lipped about the investigation into the “suspicious” circumstances surrounding Stewart’s death, which has been ruled a homicide.
“I think it’s just confusing because we don’t know what happened, like, if this was an isolated incident or a personal thing, like a grudge,” Gus Williams, who lives near Crawford Pond, told WMTW 8.
Despite the growing unease within the local community, authorities are asking the public to remain calm.
PADDLEBOARDER’S MYSTERIOUS KILLING ROCKS QUIET SUMMER VACATION AREA
Authorities are investigating the “suspicious death” of Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart after she went missing while on a paddleboarding trip near Crawford Pond in Union, Maine on July 3, 2025. (Sunshine Stewart/Facebook)
In a statement released by MSP on Wednesday, officials acknowledged the “fear and discomfort that this incident has brought to the town of Union and the Crawford Pond community,” while vowing to continue investigating Stewart’s death.
However, authorities have not revealed whether they have named a suspect in Stewart’s death or the circumstances of how she was killed.
MSP did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
NEW ENGLAND SERIAL KILLER FEARS STOKED BY 13TH BODY FOUND IN SMALL TOWN
Crawford Pond in Union, Maine, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Local police are asking for the public’s help after 48-year-old Sunshine Stewart was found killed near Crawford Pond in Knox County, Maine on July 3, 2025. (U.S. Geological Survey)
But the words of comfort from authorities have done little to calm the fears of Williams, who told the local outlet he walks his dog near the pond every day.
“The first time I was walking down here yesterday, I got to the path and was like, ‘No, I’m not going to go,’” Williams said.
Stewart’s apparent murder comes as fears of a serial killer lurking within the New England region are gripping the public.
NEW ENGLAND SERIAL KILLER FEARS: MASSACHUSETTS INVESTIGATORS IDENTIFY BODY PULLED FROM RIVER
Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart’s body was found after she disappeared during a paddleboarding trip near Crawford Pond in Union, Maine on July 3, 2025. (Sunshine Stewart/Facebook)
At least 13 bodies – with the majority found in wooded or remote areas – have been discovered throughout Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, according to authorities.
Last month, the remains of 21-year-old Adriana Suazo were found in a wooded area in Milton, Massachusetts, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. Suazo’s body showed no signs of trauma, with her cause of death remaining undetermined pending an investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Given the recent string of victims found within the region, MSP has asked “that residents continue to remain vigilant, be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
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But for locals within the community, the words of warning are not enough to ease their fears of a killer lurking within their midst.
“In a place where most people don’t lock their doors, like, ever, it definitely feels a little intrusive,” Williams said, adding, “I don’t know, [it’s] terrifying.”
Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
Maine
Tennessee forward & Maine native J.P. Estrella enters transfer portal
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella, a Scarborough native and former South Portland standout, announced earlier today that he is entering the transfer portal.
Estrella shared the news in a social media post, writing that his time at Tennessee “means more to me than I can put into words” and that he’ll “cherish the time I spent there.”
Maine
This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!
This iconic spot is a “road-trip-worthy” Maine destination, but can you handle their newest addition?
Spring has sprung, which means plenty of people will take a well-deserved break from the daily grind and hit the open road. If you’re heading out to explore some cool Maine traditions—and you love lobster rolls—we’ve found the perfect stop.
The Taste of Maine restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood since 1978. They’re famous for a few things: a giant inflatable lobster that covers about 75% of the roof, and their claim to fame—the “World’s Largest Lobster Roll.”
These legendary lobster rolls are 22 inches long, and over the years, many customers have taken on the dare of finishing one. If you succeed, you earn membership in the “Clean Plate Club”—no easy feat given the size of this lobster roll.
But this year, Taste of Maine has gone even bigger. Introducing the “Monster” Lobster Roll: 3 feet long, packed with 2½ pounds of fresh Maine lobster meat—tail, claw, and knuckle—all on a 6-inch roll. This colossal creation carries a price tag of $259.99.
Read More: Maine Amusement Park Reveals New Family Attraction For 2026
Located at 161 Main Street in Woolwich, Maine, Taste of Maine is now open for its 48th season.
One of the best things about Taste of Maine is watching people take on these enormous lobster rolls. Guests love filming themselves attempting to finish them, including a Guinness World Records titleholder for “World’s Largest Mouth Gape.”
Spring Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
To see just how long Taste of Maine has been a local favorite, check out this classic TV commercial from the 1980s!
New Arcade in Brewer, Maine Opens This Month
Game on, Brewer! The arcade of your dreams is almost here. Get ready to press start!
Gallery Credit: Arlen Jameson
12 New Restaurants That Opened in Maine in February 2026
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
Maine
Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare
LettersToTheEditor-640×400
To the Editor;
Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families.
To the Editor;
Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families. At Penquis, we serve 270 children from 266 families across dozens of communities through our child development programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care. We see firsthand how access to child care determines whether parents can work, pursue education and build long-term stability for their families, particularly in communities facing workforce shortages and rising cost of living.
Child care availability alone is not enough. We can have programs and facilities in place, but if care is not affordable, it remains out of reach for families who are already struggling.
Without it, the cost of child care places an unsustainable burden on Maine families, consuming as much as 29% to 39% of income for single-parent households and 10% to 13% for two-parent families. CCAP is one of the few tools that effectively addresses this challenge by ensuring child care costs are affordable, capping costs at 7% of income for those with the lowest incomes, and expanding access for many more families.
Investing in CCAP supports children’s healthy development, enables parents to participate in the workforce, and strengthens Maine’s economy. We urge state leaders to prioritize this $15 million investment in the supplemental budget and ensure that affordable child care is accessible to the families who need it most.
Kara Hay Penquis
Bangor
president and chief executive officer
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