Maritime memorial celebrates life of paddleboarder killed in Maine
Share this @internewscast.com

ST. GEORGE, Maine (AP) — In a touching maritime ceremony on Sunday, the life of a Maine woman, whose tragic death on a secluded pond shook the local community, was honored by friends and family.

Sunshine Stewart, 48, of St. George, went missing in July while paddleboarding on Crawford Pond, a popular summer destination in Union. She was later found dead, and police charged Deven Young, 17, of Frankfort, Maine, with murder in connection with her death.

Stewart’s loved ones called Sunday’s memorial a “maritime celebration of life.” The memorial included a procession of boats, some decked out with flowers, in the Tenants Harbor section of St. George, where Stewart lived. On the boats were pictures of Stewart smiling and a large sign that read, “Shine On.”

The event was to honor “the radiant life of Sunshine ‘Sunny’ Stewart — a woman whose light touched every soul she met,” promoters said in a social media post.

The Office of the Maine Attorney General has said it is seeking to try Young as an adult. A judge will need to rule on that request. Young is due in court for a status conference on Aug. 22.

Young made a brief initial court appearance last month in which he entered a denial to the murder charge. His attorney, Jeremy Pratt, has declined to comment.

Authorities have released few details about the killing and have not publicly speculated about a motive. Maine State Police spokesperson Shannon Moss said the investigation into Stewart’s death is still active and “will be for some time.”

Stewart lived about 20 miles (34 kilometers) from the pond where she was killed. The pond is popular with boaters and fishermen and is the site of a campground. Police have said a medical examiner determined Stewart’s cause of death was strangulation and blunt force trauma.

In the weeks since the killing, friends of Stewart have memorialized her as an independent spirit, a dedicated friend and a lover of the ocean and the outdoors. She took a varied career path through life, working as a biologist, fisherman, carpenter and in many other roles, friends said.

Bethany Leach Parmley, a lifelong friend, described Stewart as “a really loyal, wonderful friend.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
CCSO: Orange Park teen arrested for threatening shooting on first day of school

Orange Park Teen Arrested for School Shooting Threat on Opening Day, Says CCSO

Investigators said the teen threatened the victim multiple times from a blocked…
Damage assessment of a bombed-out area.

Four Al Jazeera Journalists Reportedly Killed in Israeli Strike on Media Tent Near Gaza City Hospital

FOUR Al Jazeera journalists have reportedly been killed in an Israeli air…
North Carolina teen's body discovered in Florida one week after he vanished with chilling final message

Body of Missing North Carolina Teen Found in Florida a Week Later, Haunting Last Message Revealed

The body of a missing North Carolina teen has been found in…
Two blind women say they became only passengers on Southwest flight after airline 'forgot about' them

Two Blind Women Left as Sole Passengers on Southwest Flight After Airline Oversight

Two blind women from Florida recently found themselves as the sole passengers…
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman’s body found at remote California campsite

Suspect Apprehended in Connection with Woman’s Death at Isolated California Campsite

A Nevada man was arrested after a woman was found dead at…
Meteor streaking across the night sky.

Meteorite Strikes with Thunderous Boom, Shaking Homes After Illuminating Australia’s Night Sky

A BLAZING fireball lit up the skies over Australia before a deafening…
3 injured in Jacksonville gas station shooting

Three People Hurt in Shooting at Jacksonville Gas Station

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says this happened just after 6 a.m. Sunday…
Forensic investigators collecting evidence at a mass shooting scene.

Gunman Targets Diners in Baltimore: 1 Dead, 5-Year-Old Girl Among Injured in Mass Shooting

A MAN has died and a five-year-old girl is among the 5…
Cannibalized human remains from a Neolithic clash.

Ancient Cannibalism: 6,000-Year-Old Human Bones Show Evidence of Ritualistic Eating

A HUGE family was slaughtered, skinned, cooked and eaten in a cave…
Military police guarding a building before a presidential debate.

Eight Fatalities in Ecuador Nightclub Shooting: Armed Assailants Arrive on Motorbikes and Open Fire

AT least eight people have been killed and three others injured after…
Receipt showing a €0.50 charge for adding pepper to a pizza.

Customer Outraged by Unexpected ‘Crazy’ Extra Charge on Bill at Italian Restaurant

A CUSTOMER was left raging after an Italian restaurant added a sneaky…
National Park Service considers 'reimagined' Fort Caroline after flooding issues

The National Park Service Plans to Redesign Fort Caroline Due to Flooding Problems

The National Park Service says the current fort model is constantly damaged…