Murder probe opened as missing paddleboarder is discovered dead
A murder investigation is underway as a woman who vanished while paddleboarding has been found dead.
Sunshine "Sunny" Stewart, who had "an adventurous spirit without fear", was discovered lifeless on a lake one day after she was reported missing. Police believe Sunshine, a campaigner for women's rights, was murdered and are now appealing for information.
Although the death has led to fear and discomfort across Union, Maine, officers stress there is no wider threat to the public - but no arrests have been made. Detectives have, though, sealed off part of a campsite adjacent to Crawford Pond - the lake in which the body was found - as they probe the death.
Paying tribute to Sunshine, her longime friend, Stacey Yandell, said: "She rebuilt her own house including the slate roof and siding. She was a strong, self-made woman. She could do it all. She could pick up on any skill or trade... She had such a strong personality. She radiated positivity and love. She was like a magnet. People were attracted to her. She was just a light that lit up the room. People were attracted to her because of that personality."
Sunshine, who never married or had any children, lived in Tenants Harbor, Maine, which is around 30 minutes from the lake. The 48-year-old woman was a competent paddleboarder, her friends said.
Sunshine's body was found under "unusual circumstances," police previously said. In a fresh statement, the force has now updated the community, confirming the death is being treated as murder. Officers have asked residents to remain aware of their surroundings and report suspicious behaviour.
More than $19,000 (£14,000) has been raised on a GoFundMe appeal, and the money will be used for Sunshine's funeral. The page reads: "Today is a sombre day for our family and friends. We've unexpectedly lost the light in our lives that was Sunny."
Michael Taylor, a friend who now lives in Oregon, told Bangor Daily News:"She carried this adventurous spirit without fear. She never hesitated when facing a challenge." Michael also said he remembers Sunshine, a former carpenter, for her passion for the environment and her green lifestyle.
Sunshine, who leaves behind a sister, a brother, and nephews, had gone out paddleboarding by herself at 6pm last Wednesday at the campsite in Union, police say. It is understood she died within the following four hours. Anyone who may have seen anything there between 6pm and 10pm is encouraged to contact police.
The paddleboarder's body was discovered the following day after a large-scale search, which involved foot patrol and drones. Her cause of death has not been disclosed at this time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It was truly traumatic': Belfast hairdresser detained by immigration officers in US returns home
A Belfast man has described his experience in an ICE detention centre in the USA as 'truly traumatic', after a GoFundMe was set up by his family in a bid to help get his 'life back on track'. Setting up the fundraiser earlier this month, Lee Stinton's mother Elaine said she was asking the public's help in order to cover legal fees and to help her son who is 'starting over with nothing' after returning home. So far over £5,000 has been raised for the man originally from Belfast, after the 46-year-old hairdresser had been detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 12. 'He is home with only the clothes he had on the day ICE took him' Working as a hair stylist in Key West, Florida, for six years, Lee was stopped on his e-bike by police while on his way to work. His father, Edward told Good Morning Ulster last month that he was on a working visa at the time of his arrest, and was on his way to get a Green Card. His father recounted how the family were initially unsure as to how his son was stopped by police. 'He was going to work as normal on Thursday on his e-bike and he went through, or didn't go through – we're not sure of that yet - a stop sign', he told the programme. Not having his immigration papers to hand, he was then taken to Krome Detention Centre. Giving supporters an update on the fundraising page earlier this week, Lee explained he is 'so thankful for everyone's support and help'. "We are just over halfway to our goal if you guys could continue to share on social media it would be greatly appreciated,' he wrote. "Reaching this goal will help me not only get the help and funds I need to pay legal fees and start life over, but also help me get reunited with my little dog, although the costs are high to sort everything out like veterinary stuff, pet passport, pet travel etc, it will go a long way to helping me recover and heal from this truly traumatic experience. "Again thank you if you donated already. "Every donation big or small helps so much.' The former British Hairdresser of The Year left his home for Florida over six years ago after marrying his US-born husband. Setting up the campaign, his mum said he has been left 'starting over with nothing' following his return from the USA. 'Your continued support and help is more important than ever. post release. He is home with only the clothes he had on the day ICE took him,' she wrote. 'He is now having to have a lot of medical attention physical and mentally he is extremely unstable and extremely underweight it will take a long time for him to heal. 'We as a family are struggling financially to meet the raising costs. Everything we are doing for our son Lee costs an astronomical amount of money. 'Any help we can receive would still be greatly appreciated. To help him get his life back on track.' The 46-year-old is a 'valued member' of the Key West community, according to a petition set up by locals to campaign for Lee's release. The petition said he has been 'earning the trust and respect of colleagues, customers, and supervisors and has been a tax-paying member of the community since 2019'. It adds that Lee's detention has 'caused significant hardship to his family, friends, and our community. As residents of Key West, we rely on each other for support, and the absence of Lee has left a noticeable gap in our daily lives. Lee poses no danger to our community and has no criminal history.' Lee is one of tens of thousands detained by immigration authorities following Donald Trump's vow to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the US. Among those detained have been New York City's mayoral candidate Brad Lander and one of the world's biggest TikTok stars, Khaby Lame.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Young man, 25, killed in freak forklift accident in a Sydney warehouse is identified
A 25-year-old man killed in a freak forklift accident in a Sydney warehouse is being mourned by his heartbroken family. Thanh Dat was struck and then trapped by a forklift at Green Star Food Services in Preston, in the city's southwest, about 5.30am last Friday. He died in the warehouse despite first responders' frantic efforts to revive him. Mr Thanh's family said they were 'heartbroken' by the loss of their loved one. 'Dat was full of dreams and working hard to build a better future for his family,' Thi Phuong Oanh said. Mr Thanh had been living and working in Australia as a forklift driver while supporting his family in Vietnam. '(He was) always showing dedication, kindness, and a smile that could brighten anyone's day,' Ms Thi said. 'His passing has left a deep pain in the hearts of everyone who knew him.' Police, detectives, and forensic officers remained at Green Star Food Services for much of Friday morning. 'A crime scene has been established and investigations commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident,' a NSW Police spokesman said at the time. A report was prepared for the coroner, and SafeWork NSW was notified of the incident. Mr Thanh's family has made an appeal for help with the costs of a funeral in Australia. They would also like to repatriate Mr Thanh's ashes to Vietnam. 'Thanh Dat's life, though far too short, touched many with kindness, laughter, and love. Together let us carry him home,' Ms Thi wrote in a GoFundMe. Then fundraiser has so far raised more than $2,000.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Candace Owens says ‘they'll fake kill' Brigitte Macron rather than go through discovery in defamation lawsuit
Candace Owens has doubled down on her baseless conspiracy theory that the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron was 'born a man,' which prompted a defamation lawsuit against the far-right provocateur over the 'demonstrably false' claims she's made throughout her 'transvestigation.' Taking it even further on Monday, the MAGA podcaster predicted that Brigitte Macron 's death would be faked before the case reached the discovery phase, claiming that the hypothetical staged killing of Macron would shut down all discussion 'about her being a man anymore.' Following months of Owens' false claims that 'Brigitte Macron is a man' and 'he transitioned' secretly decades ago, which have seen the anti-trans podcaster promote a byzantine and debunked conspiracy theory, the Macrons filed a 219-page defamation complaint last week. According to the lawsuit, Owens has engaged in a 'relentless and unjustified smear campaign' that has 'caused tremendous damage to the Macrons,' adding that her 'tranvestigation' podcast series was designed to feed a 'frenzied fan base' in 'pursuit of fame' and profit. 'Owens has dissected their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family, and their personal history — twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade,' the complaint declares. 'The result is relentless bullying on a worldwide scale. Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications. It is invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust.' The 22-count complaint, which was filed in the Superior Court of Delaware, seeks punitive damages against Owens and her media companies. Brigitte Macron had already been awarded damages last year when two far-right influencers also accused her of being a transgender woman. The Independent has reached out to lawyers for the Macrons for comment on Owens' latest claims. Having said she'd 'stake my entire professional reputation on' the bogus claim about the Macrons, Owens reacted to the lawsuit by saying she'd been sued by the 'first lady man' of France. 'I am fully prepared to take on this battle,' she proclaimed on her podcast last week. 'On behalf of the entire world, I will see you in court.' During her latest episode on Monday, Owens assured her audience that she didn't need financial help yet and that she believes the case itself will just fade away because Brigitte Macron would stage her death in order to avoid the 'truth' from coming out. "You know, I always want to be, if I ever come to and I say, I'm putting up a GoFundMe and I need the money, I want to make sure I really need the money, you know, and right now, we're obviously looking and talking with lawyers,' she said in response to a viewer question. 'We do not really need the money at this moment. It's very early on.' At the same time, she stated that lawsuits of this nature can be very invasive and expensive, but that it was the Macrons – and not her – who would blink first and find a way to drop the lawsuit. 'But I know that the process is supposed to be the pain, that they want to drag this out,' she asserted. 'I can't see them wanting to make it to discovery. I just don't see that happening.' Owens continued: 'I think they'll fake kill Brigitte first. They'll be like, 'Oh, Brigitte passed away from stress because of what Candace did. Oh, nobody can talk about her being a man anymore because Brigitte's gone.'' After floating the idea of a 'fake' death in order to avoid going through discovery and depositions, saying this would be the 'more likely' scenario, Owens then admitted she had no idea that any of this would actually occur. 'I don't know, but that's my instinct anyway,' she added.
