A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of Sunshine Stewart, a 48-year-old paddleboarder found dead in Maine. Stewart was reported missing after she failed to return from a solo paddleboarding trip on Crawford Pond on July 2. Her body was discovered the following morning near 100 Acre Island, a location accessible only by boat.

The suspect, a male from Maine, was taken into custody on Wednesday night. He was reportedly in the Crawford Pond area for a summer vacation with his family. Authorities have not released his name. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta has ruled Stewart's death a homicide, although police have not disclosed the specific cause of death. Officials noted that the condition of her body indicated the death was neither a suicide nor an accidental drowning.

Stewart had rented a campsite at Mic Mac Family Campground, where she had only spent a few nights before her disappearance. The campground owner has provided investigators with hours of surveillance video to assist in the ongoing investigation.

The search for Stewart began when someone reported her missing after she did not return from her paddleboarding outing. The Knox County Sheriff's Office and the Union Fire Department were the first responders, later joined by Maine game wardens. The investigation quickly escalated, leading to the involvement of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit.

Friends of Stewart described her as an outdoor enthusiast who loved hiking, boating, and paddleboarding. She was preparing to host family members for the Fourth of July weekend at the campground. Her sister, Kim Ware, shared that Stewart had a diverse career, having worked as a contractor, marine biologist, lobsterman, and boat captain.

The community is left shaken by this tragedy, as residents grapple with the implications of such a violent act in their tight-knit area. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.