Union teen deemed fit for trial in paddleboarder's death

Knox County District Court Judge Eric Walker determined that Deven Young possesses "a rational, factual understanding of the proceedings and the ability to consult legal counsel," clearing the way for trial proceedings to advance. Young, from Frankfort, was 17 when Stewart's body was discovered on Crawford Pond on July 2, 2025. He has since turned 18.

Sunshine "Sunny" Stewart, 48, of St. George, was found dead following what authorities say was a paddleboarding outing. An autopsy ruled her cause of death was strangulation and blunt force trauma. The killing of the middle-aged outdoor enthusiast in the quiet Midcoast community sparked widespread concern and made national headlines.

Young was charged with intentional or knowing murder, or murder by depraved indifference, roughly two weeks after Stewart's body was discovered. He has been held in juvenile detention but prosecutors are seeking to try him as an adult, citing his age at the time of the alleged crime. A confidential juvenile competency report completed by a doctor in October—18 pages long and sealed from public view—informed Walker's decision.

The competency ruling represents a significant procedural milestone. It does not address whether Young will ultimately be tried as a juvenile or adult, a determination that could substantially affect sentencing guidelines and his legal trajectory. A scheduling conference is set for May 7.

The case has highlighted ongoing questions about youth violence and judicial response in Maine's rural communities, where such homicides remain rare.