FRANKFORT (WGME) — New details were released Friday in a case that rocked Midcoast Maine and got national attention: the murder of a paddleboarder more than two weeks ago.
Police say 17-year-old Deven Young is accused of killing 48-year-old Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart.
He has now been formally charged with murder and his name has been released Friday.
The accused teen and his family had recently stayed at Mic Mac Family Campground in Union, where Stewart was a seasonal camper. Friday, a judge found probable cause that Deven Young intentionally committed her murder.
“I’m assuming that they knew the kid’s family,” Annie Miller, who is fascinated by the murder case, said. “He camped there. Sunny camped there.”
Miller lives in the next town over from Frankfort, where Young lived with his family.
Friday, a Knox County judge ruled Young allegedly committed what would be considered murder by an adult.
It’s unclear right now if he’ll be tried as an adult.
The court also ordered Young be detained to ensure his presence at future court proceedings and to prevent the juvenile from inflicting bodily harm to others.
“It’s a lot to take in,” neighbor Kirsten Mellor said.
Mellor lives across the street from Young and would often see him on a tractor mowing the yard.
“Scary. Scary the fact that he lived across the street from me,” Mellor said. “And my kids play out here all the time. So, it’s just a very scary feeling.”
Many of her friends believe Stewart would have fought to save her life.
The state medical examiner, who ruled Stewart’s death a homicide, says she died from strangulation and blunt force trauma.
There are still several unanswered questions.
- What was the motive?
- Did Young’s DNA match DNA found at the murder scene?
- Will a psychological evaluation be ordered?
“I hope that the state police can let us know some information about what happened,” Miller said.
Camden attorney Jeremy Pratt was appointed to represent the teen. CBS13 reached out for comment but did not hear back.
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