A teenager accused of killing 48-year-old Sunshine Stewart on a remote Maine pond in July 2025 will stand trial, a judge has ruled. Deven Young, 17 at the time of the murder, now 18, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after the death of Stewart, who was found on an island in Crawford Pond in Union, Maine.
District Court Judge Eric Walker ruled that Young is competent to proceed with the trial. The judge did not yet decide whether Young will be tried as an adult or juvenile, a decision that could significantly affect his sentencing. If tried as a juvenile, Young could be released by the time he turns 21. However, if convicted as an adult, he faces a prison sentence of 25 years to life.
The Tragic Event and Investigation
The evening of July 2, 2025, began as a routine outing for Sunshine Stewart, who was staying at Mic Mac Cove Campground in Union, Maine. She went paddleboarding on nearby Crawford Pond but did not return. When her disappearance was reported, local authorities launched an investigation and discovered her body on an island in the center of the pond.
Her death was ruled a homicide, with the cause of death being strangulation and blunt force trauma, according to the Maine State Police.
At the time, Deven Young was on a family vacation at the same campground. Authorities later revealed that Young had taken his small fishing boat out on the pond less than an hour before Stewart went paddleboarding.
During the investigation, Young allegedly inserted himself into the case, volunteering information to authorities and even misleading them about the direction of the search. He reportedly took them away from the area where Stewart’s body was ultimately found.
Young’s actions in the aftermath of the murder were described as chilling by those who witnessed his behavior. Katharine Lunt, the owner of the campground, recalled that Young had “volunteered” to help the investigators and claimed to have helpful information.
However, his actions only served to mislead investigators further. He continued to act as though nothing had happened for two weeks, offering assistance to other campers and maintaining a calm demeanor.
A Troubling Past
In January 2026, records from previous police calls to Young’s home in Frankfort, Maine, added further complexity to the case. According to reports, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services had received information about Young being physically abused by an adult and had responded to his school to investigate.
The reports also revealed troubling behavior from Young, including outbursts of anger and instances of violence.
Young was reportedly known to have ADHD and a defiance disorder, and he had previously spent time in a psychiatric hospital in Bangor, Maine.
One individual who spoke to authorities described how Young could “freak out” when he became upset, with one incident resulting in a woman suffering injuries after an altercation with him. These details have led some to question Young’s mental state and whether his previous behavior played a role in the murder.
Legal Proceedings and the Future
Deven Young is currently facing serious charges, including first-degree murder and other offenses related to the attack on Stewart. His trial will begin after a ruling on whether he will be tried as an adult or juvenile. If convicted as an adult, Young could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Young is scheduled to appear in court again on May 7, 2026, where further legal proceedings will take place.
The Community’s Reaction
Union, Maine, is a small town with a population of about 2,300 people, and the murder of Sunshine Stewart has left the community shaken. The case has garnered significant attention, not just for the brutal crime itself but also for the disturbing behaviors exhibited by Young in the aftermath.
The case serves as a grim reminder of the complexities involved in juvenile crime and the psychological factors that can influence a young person’s actions.
The investigation and legal proceedings surrounding the murder of Sunshine Stewart continue to unfold, and the community of Union, along with her grieving family, are left seeking justice for the life lost on that quiet Maine pond.
