Three Northeastern women dead, one murdered on a boat-only island — are they connected?

Three women in the rural Northeast U.S. have been found dead under mysterious circumstances. While law enforcement hasn’t linked the cases, online speculation has grown louder.

The Sunshine Stewart case

Perhaps the most publicized of the three cases, Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart, 48, was found dead in Union, Maine, on July 3 this year. She had gone paddleboarding near her campsite at Crawford Pond. When she failed to return, a search began, and her body was discovered on an island only accessible by boat.

According to reports, an autopsy confirmed Stewart was the victim of a homicide, but her cause of death has not been released. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating. They’re asking the public to report any leads.

Tina Daigle’s homicide

Weeks before Stewart died, however, Tina Daigle, 38, of Hardwick, Vermont, was found dead near a pull-off along Route 14 in Woodbury. Authorities also ruled her death a homicide. The Vermont Chief Medical Examiner determined she died from asphyxia due to compression of the neck. Investigators have not announced any suspects. The Vermont State Police are urging anyone with tips to come forward.

Jean Newberry was found dead on July 5

Finally, about a week after Stewart was killed, Jean Newberry, 40, was reported missing in Montpelier, Vermont, and later found dead. Her car was later located in East Montpelier near a trail. On July 9, 2025, searchers found her body on that trail. The Vermont State Police confirmed her death, according to Compass Vermont. Like Stewart, her cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Are the three cases connected?

Despite speculation, so far, authorities have not confirmed any connection between the three women. The Vermont and Maine State Police have not issued joint statements. No shared suspects or forensic evidence has been made public. Each case remains under local investigation.

But there are eerie similarities. All three women lived in the rural Northeast. Two were found dead outdoors. One vanished without explanation. Their ages—38, 40, and 48—are close. Their cases surfaced within weeks of each other.

Still, there are key differences. Stewart was found near water in Maine. Daigle was discovered by a roadside in Vermont; Newberry’s remains were found on a hiking trail. Only two have been officially ruled homicides.

Law enforcement continues to treat each case individually. But public anxiety is rising. As more women go missing or turn up dead in isolated parts of New England, the public wants answers. Social media is amplifying those concerns.