A teenager in Maine is set to stand trial for the murder of a 48-year-old woman, Sunshine Stewart, whose body was found after she disappeared while paddleboarding. The case has taken a chilling turn, with the defendant, Deven Young, accused of both the murder and misleading investigators.
Teenager indicted for murder
Deven Young, now 18, was indicted on charges of murder, along with felony accusations of inserting himself into the investigation and misleading police. The case stems from the death of 48-year-old Sunshine Stewart, who was killed in July 2025.
Young had been vacationing at the same campground as Stewart when she disappeared, and authorities allege he played a significant role in her death.
Details of the incident
On the evening of July 2, 2025, Stewart went out on Crawford Pond in Union, Maine, to paddleboard. She never returned, and after an extensive search, her body was discovered on an island in the middle of the pond.
The cause of death was determined to be strangulation and blunt force trauma. Investigators later determined that Young had been in the area on the night of the disappearance, taking out a fishing boat shortly before Stewart went paddleboarding.
Young allegedly misled investigators
In the days following Stewart’s disappearance, Young reportedly inserted himself into the investigation. The campground owner, Katharine Lunt, said Young volunteered information but misdirected police toward the wrong areas during their search.
For two weeks, Young allegedly acted like he had no knowledge of the crime, even though authorities felt he was likely involved. He continued to assist other campers and act innocently, despite the growing suspicion around his behavior.
Arrest and previous issues
Young was arrested on July 16, 2025, two weeks after Stewart’s body was found. During the investigation, it was revealed that Young had a history of behavioral problems, including prior incidents of aggression and a history of psychiatric care.
Reports revealed that he had previously been involved in violent altercations and had been diagnosed with ADHD and defiance disorder. He also had past encounters with law enforcement related to violent behavior.
Court ruling on competency
In a recent court ruling, District Court Judge Eric Walker ruled that Young is competent to stand trial. This decision allows the case to proceed, though the court has yet to decide whether Young will be tried as an adult or as a juvenile.
The prosecution is seeking to try Young as an adult, which would expose him to more severe penalties if convicted.
Legal proceedings moving forward
The case is still in its early stages, with Young set to appear in court again on May 7. His trial is expected to reveal more about the circumstances surrounding the murder and his involvement in the crime.
