Paddleboarding Trip Turns Homicide: Arrest Made in Killing of Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart in Maine

She Went Paddleboarding — She Was Found Dead the Next Day on an Island
On July 2, 2025, 48-year-old Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart went paddleboarding alone on Crawford Pond in Union, Maine, and did not return.
On July 3, 2025, at around 1 a.m., authorities located her body on an island in the pond under unusual circumstances. An autopsy later determined she died from strangulation and blunt force trauma, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Investigators later determined that both Stewart and a teenage suspect, along with his family, had been staying at the same campground at the time of the killing.
During the investigation, the suspect remained at the campground for nearly two weeks and spoke with authorities, at one point claiming to have information but directing them away from the location where Stewart was found.
On July 17, 2025, 17-year-old Deven Young was arrested in connection to Stewart’s death and transported to a youth development facility.
Records later revealed that authorities had prior contact with Young. In January 2023, deputies visited his home after he told a teacher he had been struck. During that visit, concerns were raised about his behavior, including reported violent outbursts, prior psychiatric treatment, and ongoing struggles requiring supervision and medication.
On April 2026, a judge ruled that Young is competent to stand trial, determining that he understands the charges against him. His competency evaluation was ordered sealed.
Young remains in custody as the court determines whether the case will be transferred for him to be tried as an adult. If convicted as an adult, he faces a minimum of 25 years in prison and up to life. If handled in juvenile court, he could face detention until the age of 21.
Young is scheduled to return to court on May 7, 2026.

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