A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with the murder of Maine paddleboarder Sunny Stewart.

A 17-year-old boy has been apprehended in connection with the homicide of Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart, a 48-year-old woman from Maine. Stewart’s body was discovered approximately two weeks after she went missing while paddleboarding on Crawford Pond, raising concerns and prompting an investigation by state authorities.

On Thursday, Maine State Police announced that the suspect was taken into custody without incident around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the town of Union, located about 30 miles east of Augusta. Following the arrest, the juvenile suspect was transported to a youth detention facility in South Portland. In accordance with Maine’s legal protocols, law enforcement officials have refrained from disclosing the identity of the minor, as state law typically protects the anonymity of juvenile offenders.

Reports from local media indicate that the juvenile suspect has connections to the area, as he reportedly spends summers in the region with his family. This information adds an additional layer of complexity to the case, as community members seek to understand the events leading up to this tragic incident.

Sunny Stewart, a resident of Tenants Harbor, was visiting the Mic Mac Cove Campground in Union at the time of her disappearance. She set out for a paddleboarding excursion on the evening of July 2 and was reported missing later that night when she failed to return. Her body was subsequently located around 1 a.m. on July 3 near 100 Acre Island, an area within the lake that can only be accessed by boat.

Initial examinations of Stewart’s remains revealed no signs of accidental drowning or suicide. Authorities later classified her death as a homicide. On Thursday, investigators confirmed that the cause of death was due to strangulation and blunt force trauma, though specific details regarding Stewart’s injuries have not been released.

The ongoing investigation has prompted police to assure the public that they are diligently working to uncover all the facts surrounding this case. They have emphasized that this remains an active investigation and have not disclosed further information at this time. The nature of the charges the teen may face has yet to be revealed.

As the community reels from this tragic event, questions about safety and the circumstances leading to Stewart’s untimely death continue to arise, reflecting a broader concern over public safety in recreational areas. Media News Source will provide updates as more information becomes available.