Key Point Summary – Maine Paddleboarder Murder

• Someone found Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart dead on July 3 in Crawford Pond
• She vanished during a solo paddleboarding trip
• A boater discovered her body near remote 100 Acre Island
• Officials confirmed her death as a homicide but gave few details
• Fear of a serial killer grows after 13 similar deaths in New England
• Police urged calm, but locals remain terrified
• Victims in multiple states were found in wooded or remote areas

A Deadly Mystery Shakes a Peaceful Town

Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart left her home on July 2 for a solo paddleboarding trip on Maine’s Crawford Pond. She never returned.

By early morning on July 3, someone discovered her body near 100 Acre Island, a thickly wooded section of the pond reachable only by boat. What began as a quiet paddle turned into a full-blown homicide investigation—and a source of growing dread across the region.

Union, a peaceful town along Maine’s coast, now finds itself caught in the grip of fear and confusion.

Few Answers, Mounting Panic

Police confirmed Stewart’s death as a homicide but refused to explain how she died or whether they’ve identified a suspect.

Neighbors like Gus Williams feel the fear creeping in. “I usually walk my dog by the pond every day,” he said. “But when I got to the trail, I just stopped. I turned around.”

Like many locals, he’s struggling with the unknown. Was Stewart the victim of someone she knew? Or does a stranger now stalk the woods of Union?

Serial Killer Rumors Won’t Die

Stewart’s case has intensified speculation about a serial killer moving across New England. At least 13 bodies—mostly found in wooded or isolated places—have turned up in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut over the last year.

The latest came just weeks ago, when officials located 21-year-old Adriana Suazo’s remains in a forest outside Milton, Massachusetts. Authorities haven’t yet determined her cause of death, but the circumstances echo a disturbing pattern.

Locals fear that Stewart’s murder might be part of the same dark story.

Authorities Speak, but Won’t Reveal Details

In a statement, Maine State Police acknowledged the community’s fear. They said they understand the distress and promised to keep investigating.

But the public wants more than words. Officials haven’t explained what happened to Stewart, what evidence they’ve collected, or whether they’re connecting her death to the others.

Investigators urged people to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity—but avoided confirming if a serial killer might be responsible.

Residents Lock Doors—and Look Over Their Shoulders

Union’s tight-knit community is changing. Many families now keep lights on at night. Some who never locked their doors now do so religiously.

“It feels like someone’s watching,” Williams said. “This isn’t something we’re used to.”

Summer tourists have begun canceling plans. Businesses near Crawford Pond report fewer customers, while locals whisper theories about who—or what—might be hiding nearby.

Why 100 Acre Island Matters

Police located Stewart’s body near 100 Acre Island, a dense patch of land surrounded by water. Locals say only those familiar with the area would know how to reach it by boat.

“That’s not a place you just stumble across,” one resident said. “Someone planned to go there.”

This detail has led many to believe Stewart didn’t end up there by accident. Whether she fled to escape or someone took her there remains unclear.

A Region on Edge, A Killer Still Uncaught

With each passing day, the silence from investigators only fuels speculation. Across New England, people are connecting dots—and fearing the worst.

Thirteen deaths. One summer. And now, the brutal killing of a woman on a quiet pond.

Until police offer answers, the fear will spread. Families are holding their children closer. Hikers avoid remote trails. And in the town of Union, the water no longer feels safe.

Sunshine Stewart’s death has left more than one mystery in its wake. It has shattered the peace of a small town and ignited a wave of fear that may not calm anytime soon.