Missing Woman Found Murdered After Paddleboarding in Maine Pond
Sunny Stewart Found Dead After Mysterious Disappearance
Maine Woman Found Murdered After Paddleboarding Trip on Crawford Pond
A 48-year-old woman who went missing while paddleboarding in Maine has been found dead, and authorities have ruled her death a homicide.
Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart was reported missing on Thursday, July 3, after failing to return from a solo paddleboarding outing on Crawford Pond in Maine’s Knox region, according to a statement from Maine State Police.
Stewart had set out alone the previous day, July 2, and never came back, prompting a search effort. Her body was discovered later that Thursday under what officials described as “unusual circumstances.”
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and determined that Stewart’s death was a homicide. However, the specific cause of death has not been released.
The investigation into Stewart’s death remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
Beloved Maine Woman Found Murdered After Paddleboarding; Community Mourns 'Fierce' Spirit
Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart, 48, who went missing after a solo paddleboarding trip on Crawford Pond in Knox County, Maine, has been found dead. Authorities confirmed the discovery of her body on Thursday, July 3, and ruled her death a homicide following an autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner. The exact cause of death has not yet been released.
Stewart had gone paddleboarding alone the evening before and never returned. Her disappearance triggered a search by Maine State Police, who later discovered her body under what officials described as “unusual circumstances.”
As investigators continue their search for answers, Stewart’s loved ones are remembering her for her remarkable energy, resilience, and adventurous life.
“She would greet obstacles with a polite smile and then completely destroy them,” wrote her friend Rob Wood in a heartfelt Facebook tribute. “She reminded us that we are alive.”
Her sister, Kim Ware, told ABC News that Stewart was not only a marine biologist but also the “world's best bartender, lobsterman, and boat captain.”
Close friend Stacey Yandell described Stewart as “a strong, self-made woman” who could master nearly any skill — even rebuilding her own home. “She was her own HGTV,” Yandell said. “She could do it all.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support her family and friends in giving Stewart the farewell she deserves.
As of now, no arrests have been made. Maine State Police are urging anyone who may have seen Stewart paddleboarding near 100 Acre Island on Crawford Pond between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, to come forward. Information can be shared by calling 207-624-7076.
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