(Update, July 5, 3:45 p.m.)

Maine State Police have identified the deceased woman who was located during the search for a missing paddleboarder on Crawford Pond, in Union. MSP is asking for assistance from the public as the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding this situation.

On Thursday, July 3, 2025, at approximately 1:05 a.m., Maine Game Wardens were called to assist the Union Fire Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in the search for a missing paddleboarder on Crawford Pond in Union. During the course of the search, an adult female was located deceased. Based on the circumstances surrounding the discovery, Wardens requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central.

The deceased has been identified as Sunshine Stewart, 48, of Tenants Harbor. Anyone who may have seen Stewart paddleboarding on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. near 100 Acre Island on Crawford Pond is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207.624.7076.

An autopsy was performed on Thursday, July 3, 2025, by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta. The manner of death was determined to be homicide, according to MSP, in a news release. The cause of death is not being released at this time.

This is an active and ongoing investigation.  

"As always, members of the public are encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement," said MSP.

Additional information will be released when it becomes appropriate to do so based on the progress of the investigation.

UPDATE: Emergency crews find deceased female during Crawford Pond search

(Update: July 3, 2025, 7:15 p.m.) A search for an overdue paddle boarder on Crawford Pond has turned into an investigation into the death of a woman who was found deceased during the search. 

At 1:05 a.m., Maine Game Wardens were called to assist the Union Fire Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in the search for a missing paddleboarder on Crawford Pond in Union. During the course of the search, an adult female was located deceased, according to a news release from the Maine Department of Public Safety. Based on the circumstances surrounding the discovery, Wardens requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central. Detectives and Evidence Response Technicians have spent the day investigating the death.

The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death. This is an active and ongoing investigation.

Additional information will be released when it becomes appropriate to do so based on the progress of the investigation.

Emergency crews spend night searching Crawford Pond in Union

UNION (July 3, 2025, 6:12 a.m.) — Through the night, in teams of two, and with a drone scouting from overhead, Union firefighters floated their boat around the pond adjacent to Mic Mac Cove Family Campground in search of an overdue paddle boarder. Joining them were one, then two, and eventually three members of the Maine Warden Service.

Union Fire and Rescue, along with deputies from the Knox County Sheriff's Office, were informed of the missing individual at 12:40 a.m., Thursday, July 3, 2025. 

With the help of the Rockland Fire Chief and the drone in RFD's possession, firefighters searched Crawford Pond from 1 a.m. until they handed over operations entirely to the Wardens at 4:20 a.m. At that time, the Wardens launched their own skiff to continue the search with the help of one of the campground's owners.

The individual has not yet been found.

This is the first incident of its kind in at least 28 years for the campground, according to an owner.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com