ME-Missing paddle boarder Sunshine Stewart Found Dead by Homicide, Union 02 July 2025

  • #21
I am local to the area, and this is such a shock to the community. Union is a small farming town with a population of less than 3,000- I have family living there and I live just down the road in one of the coastal communities.

I think that one of the most striking things is that Crawford Pond has no public access. It must be accessed through the campground or through private property. 100 Acre Island, on the other hand is open to the public and owned through the Georges River Land Trust. Locals who don’t live on the pond typically go through Mic Mac (they have day rentals).

In Maine at least, the distinction between lakes and ponds is that it is considered a pond when sunlight shines all the way to the bottom at all areas- so that doesn’t speak towards the acreage of the body of water. I live by a pond that is so large it would take quite a while to drive around the whole thing.

This area is quintessential rural Maine- I know many who don’t lock their doors at night or when they leave the house. Children play outside unattended. The slower pace of life can give the allusion of safety- but it’s an important reminder that predators are everywhere.
 
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  • #22
  • Stewart recently rented a camper
  • She planned to spend the summer at the Mic Mac Campground
  • Stewart arrived at the campground only a few days before she was killed
  • She was never married and had no kids; she did have a few long-term relationships
  • She worked as a fisherman, carpenter, bartender, and waitress
 
  • #23
I am local to the area, and this is such a shock to the community. Union is a small farming town with a population of less than 3,000- I have family living there and I live just down the road in one of the coastal communities.

I think that one of the most striking things is that Crawford Pond has no public access. It must be accessed through the campground or through private property. 100 Acre Island, on the other hand is open to the public and owned through the Georges River Land Trust. Locals who don’t live on the pond typically go through Mic Mac (they have day rentals).

In Maine at least, the distinction between lakes and ponds is that it is considered a pond when sunlight shines all the way to the bottom at all areas- so that doesn’t speak towards the acreage of the body of water. I live by a pond that is so large it would take quite a while to drive around the whole thing.

This area is quintessential rural Maine- I know many who don’t lock their doors at night or when they leave the house. Children play outside unattended. The slower pace of life can give the allusion of safety- but it’s an important reminder that predators are everywhere.
Thank you so much for this local perspective. You cleared up my confusion about ponds in that area.

I am so sorry to hear of this amazing woman’s death and how it has affected your beautiful community.
 
  • #24
this case scares the daylight out of me - I have a niece who goes paddleboarding alone all the time and I worry about her every time she posts her pictures

I'm wondering how big this 'pond' is cause when I think of ponds, the ones I know of are fairly small and no one does water activities on them ETA: I saw pictures of the pond - it's a really big one IMO

I hope they find this murderer quickly - hopefully there's some CCTV evidence that will help the police

so this tells us that the murderer either went through the campground or came from one of the homes there - I'm pretty sure those homes will have CCTV and even some of the campers will have some on their vehicles or RV's - even boaters or skiers on the water very often are video-ing :

The owner of Mic Mac Cove Family Campground said people can't access the pond without going through the campgrounds or without accessing the water from one of the private residences that sit near the water.


The pond is approximately 600 acres (243 hectares) and does not have public access.

It is a fairly large pond. But looks bigger on like google map. The shore is surrounded with lots of little family camps and woods. The shoreline is not walkable imo. Its lots Rocks and wooded areas that you couldn’t necessarily like pull up on… like a beach, but you could I suppose - and definitely could if there was a dock. Its really quite nice. In the summer its super busy with water sports, docks, floats, kids, boats, etc. especially 4th of july week. Many of the private homes have been in families for generations and have a steady flow of visitors and families during summer months. And there are a few vacation rentals but not sure they are advertised - more like If you know an owner or know someone kinda situation. Many people have been surprised anyone would be out on the water between 6-9pm eastern time- but the sunsets right now at approximately 8:20 pm so not inconceivable. In Union and surrounding towns there are a ton of working farms and during the summer months the farms hire many workers - from away. Maine is also affected by the housing crisis and there are many “off the grid” tent communities- and you would never know it unless you literally stumbled upon them. Dense forest and all. So while Knox County is quite vast, (its not weird to drive 30 minutes to get anywhere) its a small community; Like Everyone knows everyone or their cousin. Lol. That being said lots of people knew the victim, her family and other individuals or businesses that have been touched by this. So there is a lot of information that locals know about that hasn’t been shared with the public, yet. And information obviously should be taken with a grain of salt and mind your source.

Trying to wrap my head around out how this happened has been a challenge- naturally without all the facts and Taking into account what i would or wouldn’t do on my own have a peaceful evening paddle. I probably wouldn’t go explore the island - its getting dark, my houseguest is due back soon and we will do dinner. The mosquitos are coming out. there is no easy access to shore and i don’t really want to try this close to dark, barefoot. I might paddle around the island. Now knowing the victim, she wasn’t naive or sheltered by any means. she was tough, kind, funny, adventurous and friendly. If someone waved to her from a dock or boat asking for help she would go help. If someone she had met or someone she knew waved her over to their location she would be go say hello.
If she felt she was in danger she wouldn’t engage.

Was there a boat involved? Its my understanding no boat was involved in her death. Now Strictly Hypothetical thoughts out of Logic …Could someone have been following her in a boat- discretely or aggressively, to which she was made so uncomfortable she opted to paddle to the closest dock or home of someone she knew, to get help and get her phone to call 911. Yes
but know one was home or house was locked and predators caught her. was unalived - body placed on paddleboard and shoved out into pond and left to drift in current ultimately ending up on shore of the island. Possibly.
could crime have happened on a boat? Maybe, If there was more than two other individuals on hypothetical boat. cause no one could easily wrangle a strong fit wet fighting screaming woman into their boat, without help. And its a boat. Someone has to control the boat. No victim is going to sit still while an impulsive monster demands you stay put so they can assault and kill you in a bit but at moment they need to maneuver the vessel. So unless there are two + peeps- not likely.
 
  • #25
It is a fairly large pond. But looks bigger on like google map. The shore is surrounded with lots of little family camps and woods. The shoreline is not walkable imo. Its lots Rocks and wooded areas that you couldn’t necessarily like pull up on… like a beach, but you could I suppose - and definitely could if there was a dock. Its really quite nice. In the summer its super busy with water sports, docks, floats, kids, boats, etc. especially 4th of july week. Many of the private homes have been in families for generations and have a steady flow of visitors and families during summer months. And there are a few vacation rentals but not sure they are advertised - more like If you know an owner or know someone kinda situation. Many people have been surprised anyone would be out on the water between 6-9pm eastern time- but the sunsets right now at approximately 8:20 pm so not inconceivable. In Union and surrounding towns there are a ton of working farms and during the summer months the farms hire many workers - from away. Maine is also affected by the housing crisis and there are many “off the grid” tent communities- and you would never know it unless you literally stumbled upon them. Dense forest and all. So while Knox County is quite vast, (its not weird to drive 30 minutes to get anywhere) its a small community; Like Everyone knows everyone or their cousin. Lol. That being said lots of people knew the victim, her family and other individuals or businesses that have been touched by this. So there is a lot of information that locals know about that hasn’t been shared with the public, yet. And information obviously should be taken with a grain of salt and mind your source.

Trying to wrap my head around out how this happened has been a challenge- naturally without all the facts and Taking into account what i would or wouldn’t do on my own have a peaceful evening paddle. I probably wouldn’t go explore the island - its getting dark, my houseguest is due back soon and we will do dinner. The mosquitos are coming out. there is no easy access to shore and i don’t really want to try this close to dark, barefoot. I might paddle around the island. Now knowing the victim, she wasn’t naive or sheltered by any means. she was tough, kind, funny, adventurous and friendly. If someone waved to her from a dock or boat asking for help she would go help. If someone she had met or someone she knew waved her over to their location she would be go say hello.
If she felt she was in danger she wouldn’t engage.

Was there a boat involved? Its my understanding no boat was involved in her death. Now Strictly Hypothetical thoughts out of Logic …Could someone have been following her in a boat- discretely or aggressively, to which she was made so uncomfortable she opted to paddle to the closest dock or home of someone she knew, to get help and get her phone to call 911. Yes
but know one was home or house was locked and predators caught her. was unalived - body placed on paddleboard and shoved out into pond and left to drift in current ultimately ending up on shore of the island. Possibly.
could crime have happened on a boat? Maybe, If there was more than two other individuals on hypothetical boat. cause no one could easily wrangle a strong fit wet fighting screaming woman into their boat, without help. And its a boat. Someone has to control the boat. No victim is going to sit still while an impulsive monster demands you stay put so they can assault and kill you in a bit but at moment they need to maneuver the vessel. So unless there are two + peeps- not likely.
Is the pond visible from various houses?

So risky for a killer that someone might see them also out on the pond, or notice the attack. Also, sound carries across the water.

Three hours seems a long time to be paddleboarding, IMO. So maybe there was someone she'd arranged to visit and hang out with - or, as you say, lured her over to their dock...
 
  • #26
I am local to the area, and this is such a shock to the community. Union is a small farming town with a population of less than 3,000- I have family living there and I live just down the road in one of the coastal communities.

I think that one of the most striking things is that Crawford Pond has no public access. It must be accessed through the campground or through private property. 100 Acre Island, on the other hand is open to the public and owned through the Georges River Land Trust. Locals who don’t live on the pond typically go through Mic Mac (they have day rentals).

In Maine at least, the distinction between lakes and ponds is that it is considered a pond when sunlight shines all the way to the bottom at all areas- so that doesn’t speak towards the acreage of the body of water. I live by a pond that is so large it would take quite a while to drive around the whole thing.

This area is quintessential rural Maine- I know many who don’t lock their doors at night or when they leave the house. Children play outside unattended. The slower pace of life can give the allusion of safety- but it’s an important reminder that predators are everywhere.

[bbm]

thanks I was wondering about that
 
  • #27
It is a fairly large pond. But looks bigger on like google map. The shore is surrounded with lots of little family camps and woods. The shoreline is not walkable imo. Its lots Rocks and wooded areas that you couldn’t necessarily like pull up on… like a beach, but you could I suppose - and definitely could if there was a dock. Its really quite nice. In the summer its super busy with water sports, docks, floats, kids, boats, etc. especially 4th of july week. Many of the private homes have been in families for generations and have a steady flow of visitors and families during summer months. And there are a few vacation rentals but not sure they are advertised - more like If you know an owner or know someone kinda situation. Many people have been surprised anyone would be out on the water between 6-9pm eastern time- but the sunsets right now at approximately 8:20 pm so not inconceivable. In Union and surrounding towns there are a ton of working farms and during the summer months the farms hire many workers - from away. Maine is also affected by the housing crisis and there are many “off the grid” tent communities- and you would never know it unless you literally stumbled upon them. Dense forest and all. So while Knox County is quite vast, (its not weird to drive 30 minutes to get anywhere) its a small community; Like Everyone knows everyone or their cousin. Lol. That being said lots of people knew the victim, her family and other individuals or businesses that have been touched by this. So there is a lot of information that locals know about that hasn’t been shared with the public, yet. And information obviously should be taken with a grain of salt and mind your source.

Trying to wrap my head around out how this happened has been a challenge- naturally without all the facts and Taking into account what i would or wouldn’t do on my own have a peaceful evening paddle. I probably wouldn’t go explore the island - its getting dark, my houseguest is due back soon and we will do dinner. The mosquitos are coming out. there is no easy access to shore and i don’t really want to try this close to dark, barefoot. I might paddle around the island. Now knowing the victim, she wasn’t naive or sheltered by any means. she was tough, kind, funny, adventurous and friendly. If someone waved to her from a dock or boat asking for help she would go help. If someone she had met or someone she knew waved her over to their location she would be go say hello.
If she felt she was in danger she wouldn’t engage.

Was there a boat involved? Its my understanding no boat was involved in her death. Now Strictly Hypothetical thoughts out of Logic …Could someone have been following her in a boat- discretely or aggressively, to which she was made so uncomfortable she opted to paddle to the closest dock or home of someone she knew, to get help and get her phone to call 911. Yes
but know one was home or house was locked and predators caught her. was unalived - body placed on paddleboard and shoved out into pond and left to drift in current ultimately ending up on shore of the island. Possibly.
could crime have happened on a boat? Maybe, If there was more than two other individuals on hypothetical boat. cause no one could easily wrangle a strong fit wet fighting screaming woman into their boat, without help. And its a boat. Someone has to control the boat. No victim is going to sit still while an impulsive monster demands you stay put so they can assault and kill you in a bit but at moment they need to maneuver the vessel. So unless there are two + peeps- not likely.
Such well thought out comments. And thank you for the local perspective. I'm sure the locals must be terrified and distraught about Sunshine.

Police haven't publicly shared any information about exactly where her body was found. Was it just off the shore of the island amongst roots? Was it near her paddleboard? Did her body get dumped where it was found or did it drift to the edge of the island?

I had it in my mind that she got off her board onto the island, but from your description that doesn't sound likely, is that correct? I can't see her being attacked on her board as it would just tip.

LE also hasn't released the cause of death, but the clearly knew it was a homicide right off the bat so there must be signs of violence. Is it possible she was shot from afar? I presume that a shot would sound around the pond and many would have heard that. What about an arrow?
What if someone rammed her board, knocking her off and then held her under the water with a paddle until she became weak and then they stabbed her?

I'm just spit-balling possible scenarios where she could have been attacked while on her board.
It still seems more likely to me that she got off her board for some reason.
 
  • #28
If the perpetrator had a firearm, maybe they weren't close and actually never came in contact with the victim.
 
  • #29
I’m wondering what Sunshine’s friend meant by, “even though her life was not an easy one.”
I noticed that too. Scary cause I paddle board alone in Sebago in Maine.
 
  • #30
I noticed that too. Scary cause I paddle board alone in Sebago in Maine.
Wow. This must be very disconcerting for you!
I hope this case turns out to be someone who was specifically targeting Sunshine and they aren't just out there killing random people.
 
  • #31
A bit about Union, Maine:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Union is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,383 at the 2020 census. It is home to the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage and annual Union Fair. Wikipedia
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
  • #32
...Is it possible she was shot from afar?... What about an arrow?...
RSBM
Interesting ideas.

I had presumed a personal attack on SS, possibly with SA. But your ideas open up other scenarios.

Hunting, guns and crossbows are a big part of life for many in rural Maine. Evening in summer is when huge mosquitos come out up there. But also deer, moose and coyote

So, what if this was negligent homicide - someone doing target practice or poaching deer / moose or hunting coyote legally (year round) and SS was sadly in the line of fire?

I agree a long gun would be loud and likely easily heard. But a crossbow???

Then again, it could have been a premeditated homicide from a distance.

IMO
ET: reformat and add clarity
 
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  • #33
Here's a good article...don't think it's been posted yet.

Communities Wait for Answers on Union Murder as Anyone with Information is Urged to Come Forward

They included an image of a map (courtesy of the Union Fire Dept) that more clearly shows the different access points to the pond and where all of the buildings/homes/cabins are. You can see Mic Mac access at the top of the pond and as well as the isolated SE shore, with only one access lane and a few cabins clustered together in only one spot.

In the above article they interviewed a resident from that lane area and they said they weren't aware there had been a homicide. That surprised me since I would presume that LE would have contacted all of the owners around the pond and certainly news like that would spread like wildfire in that rural area. Of course that person might not have been there at the time the police were interviewing residents.

While there have been reports of an empty cabin on the island, these remain unconfirmed. Some maps show a causeway linking the island to land owned by the out-of-state family, who donated the island to the trust, but a caretaker for the family told The Maine Wire that the causeway no longer exists and the island can only be accessed by boat – or swimming.

1752240608513.webp
 
  • #34
Such well thought out comments. And thank you for the local perspective. I'm sure the locals must be terrified and distraught about Sunshine.

Police haven't publicly shared any information about exactly where her body was found. Was it just off the shore of the island amongst roots? Was it near her paddleboard? Did her body get dumped where it was found or did it drift to the edge of the island?

I had it in my mind that she got off her board onto the island, but from your description that doesn't sound likely, is that correct? I can't see her being attacked on her board as it would just tip.

LE also hasn't released the cause of death, but the clearly knew it was a homicide right off the bat so there must be signs of violence. Is it possible she was shot from afar? I presume that a shot would sound around the pond and many would have heard that. What about an arrow?
What if someone rammed her board, knocking her off and then held her under the water with a paddle until she became weak and then they stabbed her?

I'm just spit-balling possible scenarios where she could have been attacked while on her board.
It still seems more likely to me that she got off her board for some reason.
There are so many different possibilities- all equally disconcerting- and odd. It’s entirely possible she went ashore. Would i given the conditions- getting dark, mosquitoes yucky shore muddy grass slime rocks- probably not. If i came across a more beach like area maybe. A dock- maybe. LE as we know hasn’t released much. Law & Crime Network dropped a youtube interview with some type of LE member who is not connected to the case at all. He suggested that ONE of the reasons LE doesnt share info is because it’s similar to other cases. Along with the standard reasons.

I agree attack probably didnt happen on paddleboard - not to say it didnt but like you said …. Tippy.
As far as the island stuff… yes there is an old causeway - #crawfordpond on insta and theres an image or video of people cruising on a boat and you can see it. There are also aerial drone videos of the pond - not related to the case - but can kinda give an idea of pond. I have only boated on it once. I was very turned around. So many nooks crannys coves not to mention the island - and then the other tiny island i think. This was like 5 years ago.
Yes there is a cabin on an island (tiny one or the 1% of 100 acre that isnt owned by preserve i dont recall.) We were with one of the family members who own it went and checked out the renovations that were being done. since then i think its sometimes privately rented to friends of family. We cruised around and went to these low cliffs we swam too from boat- climbed up and jumped off. So the terrain differs shore to shore.
 
  • #35
Local rumors have been her body was found in vicinity of causeway. But that could be BS - but could also have some truth… however it is a big vicinity- so perhaps maybe we settle on eastern side of 100 Acre Island.
Again only LE knows.
So this is not confirmed - and may not be 100% accurate, and is definitely hearsay. So keep that in mind.

Visualizing pond - i will see if i have some images id be comfortable posting so people can get better idea.
Now i dont do left right and struggle with a compass - but let me try this… mic mac is on northend. Old Causeway on east side of pond and east side of 100 acre island- please again keep in mind im terrible with direction so it may be totally backwards- . And as crow flies and google maps measure distance tool, MMCG shore to causeway area is roughly .49 miles. Not a far distance by any means when kayaking or paddleboarding.

Speculative thought:
Because it really hasn’t been made abundantly clear where exactly the major crime scenes unit has been searching - aside from diving and searching various locations in and around island and using MMCG as an access point to pond there’s been no reference as to whether LE has searched other shores or areas or properties. (Except for more local rumors)

So Is it the possible attack didn’t happen on the island?
Wind drift conditions:
I utilized good ole chat gpt the other day and ran scenario - based on thought that what if attack happened on shore not on island- and then was staged to look like an accident (body put on paddleboard and pushed away.) so it drifted from eastern shore closer to causeway and ultimately ended up in vicinity of causeway - whether its one of the little coves or the causeway itself.
how long would it take to get from eastern shore to causeway roughly .11 miles - for guesstimate of 140lb unconscious person on standard 8ft paddleboard- (rough total of 165 lbs) between 5pm and 11pm july 2.

Chatgpt results:
On July 2, 2025, between 5 PM and 11 PM, the wind in Union, Maine (which applies to Crawford Pond as well) was blowing predominantly from the south. Here’s why:
  • July 2 marks one of the peak days when south winds are most frequent—about 43% of hours have southerly winds that day in Union .
  • Throughout July, the average hourly wind in Union is around 5.2 mph, typically coming from the south
So, if you were on Crawford Pond that evening, expect a gentle south wind of around 5 mph, which would mean a northward surface current on the pond.
In plain speak:
You’d drift toward the north end of the pond, pushed along by that south wind.

I askes Chatgpt follow up question:
How long would it take a 140 lb unconscious person on an 8ft paddleboard to drift with those conditions 0.113 miles ?


Chatgpt:
Alright, I’m pullin’ out the ol’ whiskey math for this one—steady and honest.
We got:
  • Wind: South at about 5 mph (light breeze)
  • Distance to drift: 0.113 miles (about 597 feet)
  • Weight on board: 140 lb person + maybe 25 lb paddleboard? (say 165 lb total)
  • Board size: 8 ft paddleboard—fairly small, not much surface to catch wind.
Key Thing:
Wind doesn’t actually push you at its full speed. The board ain’t a sailboat. Most paddleboards in mild winds drift at 10% to 30% of wind speed (depends on wind angle, water chop, weight, and how much of the board is above water).
But with a person lying flat—low profile—we’re talking the lower end of that.

Quick Estimate:
  • Drift speed: ~10% of wind speed → 0.5 mph
  • (That’s a slow drift but realistic with a person lying down, low board, no paddle in water, mild waves.)
  • Distance to drift: 0.113 miles
Time = Distance ÷ Speed

0.113 miles ÷ 0.5 mph = 0.226 hours
→ About 13.5 minutes

Realistic Range:
If conditions were slightly rougher or board caught more wind:
  • At 0.75 mph drift → ~9 minutes
  • At 0.3 mph drift → ~22 minutes
📝 Bottom Line:
That board would take about 10 to 20 minutes to drift that far under those wind conditions.

End Chatgpt chat
 
  • #36
Visualizing pond - i will see if i have some images id be comfortable posting so people can get better idea.
Now i dont do left right and struggle with a compass - but let me try this… mic mac is on northend. Old Causeway on east side of pond and east side of 100 acre island- please again keep in mind im terrible with direction so it may be totally backwards- . And as crow flies and google maps measure distance tool, MMCG shore to causeway area is roughly .49 miles. Not a far distance by any means when kayaking or paddleboarding.

You did well with your description.
Here's a drone image which might help others to understand what you're picturing -~

Pond.webp
 
  • #37
<snipped & BBM>
[KL’s] campground is stacked with security. There are motion detectors everywhere, and she said all of her cameras have facial recognition. [KL] said she believes that whoever was involved in sunshine Stewart's death didn't get to the pond through her campsite.
 
  • #38
<snipped & BBM>
[KL’s] campground is stacked with security. There are motion detectors everywhere, and she said all of her cameras have facial recognition. [KL] said she believes that whoever was involved in sunshine Stewart's death didn't get to the pond through her campsite.
It’s completely likely. I know that when we were kids if we knew of a camp on any lake or pond and thought or knew for a fact that the owners were not around, we would absolutely utilize their water access. And that is not unheard of. A friends camp a family members camp, a camp that most people knew was like never used because the people never came up. It’s a small town. I also know that a long time ago kids used to go out to 100 acre Island and party out there.

Point is … Just because there isn’t public access doesn’t mean there is not access.
 
  • #39
 
  • #40
Is the pond visible from various houses?

So risky for a killer that someone might see them also out on the pond, or notice the attack. Also, sound carries across the water.

Three hours seems a long time to be paddleboarding, IMO. So maybe there was someone she'd arranged to visit and hang out with - or, as you say, lured her over to their dock...
There are so many funny little coves, and angles, and then of course, the island right in the middle which blocks a lot visibility - I’ve been to a camp on the South Shore and a camp on the east side
And I just honestly get so turned around
It’s not that it necessarily all looks the same, but my sense of direction is awful

I can say the camp on the southside and surrounding properties, the houses were like up high with steep stairs leading down to the water and docks and floats

Where is the east side the houses are very near the water and you didn’t have to go down like exceptionally steep stairs to get to the docks or the water
-
And yeah, sound definitely carries , but with coves and islands and trees it can be misleading as to where it’s coming from and how far does it carry ?
And given that it’s summer and it’s really busy this time of year screaming could be mistaken just be people messing around.

And 6 to 9pm - sure people could be out on the boats, or out on their docks, enjoying a glass of wine or taking a quick swim, but that’s also kind of dinner time so people could be out or inside. I don’t know. I don’t want to speculate the whole thing sucks.
 

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