Teen suspected of killing Maine paddleboarder charged with murder
The 17-year-old suspect in the death of a Maine paddleboarder earlier this month was charged with one count of murder, appearing in court for the first time on Friday.
Court documents unsealed with the Rockland County District Court in Knox County identify the teen as Deven Young and say he acted with "depraved indifference" to Stewart's life when he allegedly intentionally killed her.
Stewart, 48, was found dead on July 3 at Crawford Pond in Union. Her cause of death was strangulation and blunt force trauma, according to the state's Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
The suspect was arrested without incident Wednesday night, according to police. He came to the pond area to spend summer vacation time with his family, according to an official familiar with the investigation.
He is currently in custody at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland. State prosecutors have moved to charge him as an adult, according to a spokesperson for the Maine Attorney General's office. That request has not yet been ruled on.
At his brief first appearance Friday, Young entered a denial, a procedural move disputing the allegations, and arguments will be heard at a later hearing.
Meanwhile, Young will be kept in custody at a juvenile facility to ensure he'll appear at future court appearances and "to prevent the juvenile from inflicting bodily harm on others," Judge Eric Walker ruled Friday.
Young's next hearing has been set for Aug. 22 in the Rockland District Court. Young is a resident of Frankfort, Maine, according to court documents.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta determined the manner of death was a homicide.
Stewart had rented a camp site at Mic Mac Family Campground for the summer season on May 1. She had only stayed on the camp grounds for a few nights prior to her disappearance on July 2.
Stewart's body was found under "unusual circumstances," according to officials familiar with the investigation. The condition of the body indicated her death was not a suicide or an accidental drowning, authorities said.
The investigation into the murder remains active and ongoing. Anyone who may have seen Stewart paddleboarding on July 2 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.
