ME - Woman Charged With Murder After Teenage Boy Found Dead, Megan McDonald 39

[Knox]

Why won’t authorities release Sidney victim’s name?

The attorney general’s office says it is not releasing the name of a 14-year-old boy found dead due to privacy concerns, but some lawyers and experts say they don’t buy that argument.

www.sunjournal.com

Thank you for posting but it’s behind a paywall, can you summarize what it says?

 

[LoisLane47]

Thank you for posting but it’s behind a paywall, can you summarize what it says?

As above. The AG's office claims to have received "feedback" that identifying minor victims harms the privacy of family members.

 

[lonetraveler]

To me, it almost doesn't matter where she ends up. Jail or Psych ward. She will suffer for the rest of her life.

Actually, I'm surprised that she did not kill herself too.

 

[Knox]

As above. The AG's office claims to have received "feedback" that identifying minor victims harms the privacy of family members.

I’ll have to mull that over. What do you think?

 

[LoisLane47]

I’ll have to mull that over. What do you think?

I think this will ultimately be decided by a judge. The media have to fight this. As for whether I think the victim's name should be released, yes, I do. This is a very slippery slope. Minor victims have until recently always been identified in court documents. The decision of whether to publish their names rightly laid with the media.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

More likely that legally prescribed drugs were involved. Some of the side effects of drugs used to treat anxiety and depression can cause serious mental problems.

Neuropsychiatric consequences of cardiovascular medications - PMC

The use of cardiovascular medications can have a variety of neuropsychiatric consequences. Many cardiovascular agents cause higher rates of fatigue and sedation than placebo, and case reports of medication-induced mood syndromes, psychosis, and ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

This is actually VERY unlikely. SSRIs are a scapegoat and nothing more, in my expert opinion. Also, the article cited isn't about drugs to treat anxiety or depression; they're about cardiovascular drugs which are outside my immediate wheelhouse, but also unlikely, IMO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I just read a few articles about that case. Just horrible. I'm almost afraid to read more. Apparently she was on three different psychiatric medications when she murdered her children! Its so discouraging that people think psychiatric drugs are safe, but they are not, IMO.

They actually are relatively safe. What's less safe is someone who needs them not using them.

 

[Knox]

They actually are relatively safe. What's less safe is someone who needs them not using them.

I'm glad you're here. Could you offer an opinion on the Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) Megan suffered, about a year ago. Could an event like this contribute to a mental health crisis?

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I'm glad you're here. Could you offer an opinion on the Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) Megan suffered, about a year ago. Could an event like this contribute to a mental health crisis?

I'd have to know more about her medical history, but in general, there isn't a direct link to a mental health crisis. However, as with any sudden life-threatening and life-altering illness, patients do suffer from mental health symptoms. Obviously, depression and anxiety, but an area that I would consider most likely is PTSD. We've learned a lot about post-ICU PTSD from the pandemic. A lot of these patients are discharged and their lives are never the same. Some are permanently disabled due to mental health symptoms.

I think we have to wait for more details in this case to theorize on whether or not that played a role.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

*edited @DS2021 for correct post, thank you @
A spokesperson for the UMaine System confirmed to Maine's Total Coverage that McDonald previously served as a part-time clinical site instructor in the University of Maine at Augusta's nursing program, but has not done so since the summer of 2022.

MSN

 

[DS2021]

Edward Holley is accused of second-degree murder in the 2003 death of Megan McDonald.

• The case is expected to go to trial in early March 2025.
• Ten new motions were put before an Orange County Court judge on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

Megan McDonald murder case update: 10 new motions from Holley's defense team

A pretrial conference for Edward Holley, accused in the death of Megan McDonald, was adjourned until Feb. 11 after what the judge called a 'highly unusual' challenge.

www.recordonline.com

wrong thread

 

[Trebor5591]

Thank you for posting but it’s behind a paywall, can you summarize what it says?

In my opinion, the only reason the victims name is not released is because censorship is an exercise of power relished by a certain kind of government official.

 

[Knox]

In my opinion, the only reason the victims name is not released is because censorship is an exercise of power relished by a certain kind of government official.

I agree 100% and we are seeing it more now, than ever - transparency is waning.

Case Status as of 12/27/24 - Megan was ordered to undergo a psych eval, the case will go before a grand jury to rule on an indictment.

Court orders psychological evaluation for woman accused of killing Maine teenager

A woman accused of killing a 14-year-old boy in Sidney made her first court appearance on Friday.

wgme.com

re:SearchMaine

researchmaine.tylerhost.net

 

[tlcya]

According to several neighbors, the victim was a sweet kid whom they often saw playing soccer with friends outside. The neighbors said he would wave to them as they went by, and that they were completely shocked when they heard the news.

Neighbors also told Maine's Total Coverage that McDonald is a nurse who worked at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta.
14-year-old victim of Maine murder was suspect's son, neighbors say

I would still very much like to understand the why of this murder. I cannot help but agree with the court in ordering a psych eval for this mother. Just a tragic case IMO

 

[DS2021]

Sidney woman accused of killing teen son indicted on murder, animal cruelty charges

The Sidney woman accused of killing her 14-year-old son has been indicted by a grand jury on murder and aggravated cruelty to animals.

www.wabi.tv

Confirmation on the rumor she killed the pets too

 

[DS2021]

Sidney woman says she killed teen son on orders from God, court documents say

A Sidney woman says she killed her son on orders from God, according to court documents obtained by the Kennebec Journal.

www.wabi.tv

Megan McDonald, 39, is charged with killing her 14-year-old son Quincy McDonald in December.

According to the paper, McDonald told police God had chosen her for a murder-suicide and her son needed to be sacrificed.

According to the police affidavit, McDonald strangled her son with a scarf until he stopped breathing then stabbed him in the chest.

When police arrived at the Summerhaven Road residence in Sidney, they found Quincy dead in the yard behind the house beside a decorated Christmas tree with his feet propped up on a Bible and a lock of his hair in his hand

All 4 family pets were also found dead

 

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[DS2021]

Now that Quincy's name has been released in court docs, here is a picture

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=917945297113092&id=100066928898672

 

[Trebor5591]

Here's a story that actually names the murder victim, Quincy McDonald. The story also says that Megan McDonald also killed "a dog, two turtles, and a lizard on the same day." In addition to the murder of her son Quincy, she is also being charged with animal cruelty. Probably those were all Quincy's pets. I hope she doesn't get off on these horrible crimes because of a so-called mental illness. Reading her FB account she sounds sane enough. JMO.

Sidney woman accused of killing teen son indicted on murder, animal cruelty charges

The Sidney woman accused of killing her 14-year-old son has been indicted by a grand jury on murder and aggravated cruelty to animals.

www.wabi.tv

 

[tlcya]

SIDNEY, Maine (WABI) - A Sidney woman says she killed her son on orders from God, according to court documents obtained by the Kennebec Journal.
Sidney woman says she killed teen son on orders from God, court documents say