Arrest Made in April's Hartland Homicide

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 8:00 PM, Detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central arrested 69-year-old Bonnie Coombs of Garland in connection with the April homicide of 78-year-old Velma Withee of Hartland. Coombs is the sister of the victim.

 

PREVIOUS RELEASE

On Saturday, April 12, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central following the discovery of a deceased adult female at a residence on Canaan Road in Hartland. The victim was identified as Velma Withee. An autopsy was conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Monday, April 14, 2025. The manner of death was determined to be homicide, and the cause was gunshot wounds. Bonnie Coombs was transported to the Somerset County Jail, where she is currently being held without bail. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No additional details are being released at this time.