Friend of Slain Paddleboarder Discusses Unsettling Case | Banfield

Remembering Sunshine Stewart

• 💡 Meredith Smith, a friend of over 40 years, described Sunshine Stewart as a vibrant, outgoing, silly, strong-willed, independent, and adventurous person.
• 🎯 Stewart was a jack of many trades, working as a carpenter, marine biologist, and lobsterman.
• 🧠 She was described as wise and not overly trusting of strangers, but would help someone in need if accompanied by a friend.

The Unexplained Homicide

• ❓ Smith expressed that there was nobody who would want to hurt Stewart, making the homicide particularly scary and senseless.
• 📍 Stewart was very familiar with the area, frequently paddleboarding on Crawford Pond, a location that is difficult to access without local knowledge.
• 🧩 The circumstances of the crime are baffling, with Smith stating, "It just doesn't make any sense at all."

Investigation and Suspicions

• 🕵️‍♀️ Smith has not been directly interviewed by police but did provide them with a tip about individuals who were at the campground on the night of the incident.
• 🏕️ The campground is described as a tight-knit, friendly community with mostly seasonal campsites, making the crime even more unexpected.
• ⚠️ Smith suspects the perpetrator might be local or a frequent visitor to the campground, and believes the incident may have been random or a case of fixation rather than a targeted attack.