A tragic and shocking murder case in Maine has caught national attention. A 17-year-old boy, Deven Young, has been arrested and charged with the murder of 48-year-old Sunshine Stewart. The case has become even more disturbing after police found out the teen tried to mislead them before he was even a suspect.
What Happened?
Sunshine Stewart was staying at the Mic Mac Cove Campground in Union, Maine, where she was enjoying a peaceful vacation. On July 2, she went paddleboarding on Crawford Pond but didn’t return. Soon after, her family and fellow campers reported her missing.
Authorities launched a search and later found Stewart’s body on an island in the pond. She had died from strangulation and blunt force injuries, according to the Maine State Police.
The Shocking Twist
Deven Young, who was also staying at the same campground with his family, quickly became part of the investigation — but not as a suspect at first. Instead, he approached police and offered to help.
According to campground owner Katharine Lunt, Young told police he had information about the case. However, he misled them by pointing them in the wrong direction — away from where Stewart’s body was eventually found.
Lunt checked the campground’s security cameras and saw that Young had taken a boat out on the lake just before Stewart went missing. This made her suspicious, and she alerted police.
How He Tried to Hide the Truth
Even after the murder, Young continued to stay at the campground for two more weeks. During that time, he acted normally, helped other campers, and behaved as if nothing had happened. This made it even harder for police to suspect him at first.
“No one thought to look for a child,” said Lunt. “Everyone assumed the suspect was an adult.”
Retired NYPD detective Tom Smith said Young’s early involvement in the investigation was suspicious. “When someone steps in early with information before anyone asks, it usually raises red flags,” he said.
Planned, Not Accidental
Experts believe that the murder was not random or done in a moment of anger. Smith added that the act seemed planned and targeted. He said Young likely saw Stewart as vulnerable and took advantage of the situation.
Police and prosecutors are now looking deeper into Young’s background to find out if he had any previous troubling behavior or thoughts that could explain the crime.
Who Was Sunshine Stewart?
Sunshine Stewart was described by friends as kind, adventurous, and full of energy. Her friends say she had a strong personality and was very active.
“She was so full of life,” said one friend, Bethany Leach Parmley. “You always had fun when you were with her.”
Another friend, Tennie Komar, said, “She was ambitious, hard-working, and friendly. It’s hard to believe something like this happened to someone so strong.”
Komar even compared the situation to a horror story, saying it felt like they were living in a Stephen King novel.
What’s Next in the Case?
Deven Young is currently being held at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, Maine. Prosecutors want him to be tried as an adult since he is nearly 18, and the crime is very serious. If tried as a juvenile, he could be released by the age of 21. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 22.
The murder of Sunshine Stewart has shocked the community and the entire country. The fact that a teenager may have planned and committed such a violent act is deeply disturbing. With more information expected to come out in court, the case will likely continue to receive national attention.
The judge’s decision on whether to try Young as an adult will be a key moment in the legal process. Everyone is now waiting for justice for Sunshine and answers from the investigation.
