PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Prosecutors in Maine announced on Monday their intention to try 17-year-old Deven Young as an adult in connection with the murder of 48-year-old Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart. Stewart's body was discovered earlier this month on Crawford Pond in Union, approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Portland, a region cherished by summer campers and nature enthusiasts.
Stewart, a resident of St. George, had been reported missing while paddleboarding prior to her death, which has shocked the local community and prompted widespread media coverage. Young, who resides in Frankfort, Maine, was charged with murder last week and is currently being held at a youth detention facility in the Portland area. He is scheduled to appear in court for a status conference on August 22.
The Maine Attorney General’s Office is working to bind Young over for trial as an adult, a process that requires the approval of a judge. The motion to charge Young as an adult has been sealed by the court and is not publicly accessible at this time, as confirmed by Danna Hayes, a spokesperson for the Attorney General's office. While Hayes noted that the defendant's name has been disclosed, the investigation remains ongoing, and additional documentation has not been made available.
During a brief court appearance on the previous Friday, Young entered a denial to the murder charge against him. His defense attorney, Jeremy Pratt, opted not to comment on the case. If convicted of murder as an adult, Young faces significant prison time, ranging from 25 years to life in prison.
The medical examiner established that Stewart’s death was caused by strangulation and blunt force trauma. Despite the severity of the crime, authorities have not disclosed any motives related to the incident. Court documents that have been released offer minimal detail, reinforcing the secrecy surrounding the case. Maine State Police have stated that their investigation into Stewart's death is still active, and they have refrained from sharing further information beyond announcing Young's arrest.
Stewart had lived about 21 miles (34 kilometers) away from Crawford Pond in the Tenants Harbor neighborhood of St. George. Her friends remember her as a fiercely independent adventurer dedicated to her loved ones. Over the years, she held various occupations including fisherman, boat captain, carpenter, and bartender. One of her lifelong friends, Bethany Leach Parmley of Washington, Maine, described Stewart as "a wonderful friend, a really loyal, wonderful friend" who brought joy and fun to those around her.
Crawford Pond, where the tragic incident occurred, is located in the small town of Union, which has a population of approximately 2,400 residents. The pond covers about 600 acres (243 hectares) and is not open to the public for general access. It is primarily used for activities such as boating and fishing. In the middle of the pond lies the 100 Acre Island preserve, which is a wooded area accessible by canoe, kayak, or paddleboard from a nearby campground.
The investigation into Sunshine Stewart's death continues, with authorities seeking to understand the circumstances surrounding this shocking event that has deeply affected the community. As the legal process unfolds, more details may emerge regarding the motives and events leading to her tragic demise.
