UPDATE: 17-year-old on summer vacation with family arrested in murder of Maine paddleboarder

REPORT: Maine State Police are trying to figure out who killed a 48-year-old woman last seen paddleboarding on a pond in the town of Union, Maine.

A 48-year-old paddler was found dead after an evening outing on Crawford Pond in Union, Maine—state investigators have ruled the case a homicide, rattling the quiet lakeside community.

A holiday week turned grim when search teams located the victim near 100 Acre Island early July 3, just hours after friends reported the paddler overdue. Authorities say the individual left a nearby campground around 6 p.m. July 2 for a solo paddleboard session and never returned. An autopsy confirmed foul play, but officials are withholding the exact cause of death while pursuing leads.

Key Details

• Timeline
  • 6–9 p.m. July 2: Victim seen paddling near 100 Acre Island.
  • ~1 a.m. July 3: Searchers discover the body under unusual circumstances.
• Scene
  • Crawford Pond—600-acre lake ringed by campsites, about 30 miles east of Augusta.
  • Access to the island is water-only, complicating the investigation.
• Investigation
  • Detectives canvassing campers, reviewing security video and collecting shoreline evidence.
  • Forensic teams examined dumpsters and boats for trace clues.
• Community Impact
  • Solo outings canceled; residents now paddle in groups and have installed motion-sensor lights around docks.

How to Help & Stay Safe

• Report tips to the state-police hotline.
• Paddle with a buddy and carry a whistle or personal locator beacon.
• Record launch and return times with camp staff or friends.
• Keep shorelines lit at night and maintain clear sightlines to the water.

For More Information

• CBS 13 News (YouTube): First video coverage from the scene — Watch here
• Portland Press Herald: Community reaction and safety concerns — Read article
• ABC News: Investigators urge vigilance as search for killer continues — Read article