Homicide

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at approximately 5:33 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to 515 Leighton Point Road in Pembroke to a report of an unresponsive female.  When deputies arrived, the female was discovered deceased and the circumstances were suspicious.  Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North and the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team responded to the residence to continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.  The victim was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was performed on Thursday, February 10, 2022.  The victim has been identified as 53-year-old Paula Johnson of Pembroke.  The results of the autopsy has ruled the death to be a homicide.  Maine State Police continue to investigate and are asking for the public’s help.  If anyone has information about the death or saw anything on the Leighton Point Road in the last few days that seems suspicious, please call the Maine State Police dispatch in Bangor at 973-3700 and leave a message for Detective Adam Bell.

That is all of the information we will be releasing at this time.
 

  From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, January 10, 2022, Washington County Sherriff’s Deputies received information about an altercation that happened at a home at 69 Jim’s Head Road in Lubec. When Deputies arrived at the residence they discovered evidence outside the home that led investigators to believe something suspicious happened at the residence. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called in to investigate. Officers began looking for the homeowner 58-year-old Eva Cox and her boyfriend, 65-year-old Paul DeForest who lived at the home with Cox.  A search warrant was prepared and members of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and Evidence Response Team began processing the scene to look for information that would help them locate the occupants and determine what happened at the residence.

On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, a larger search was organized that included Maine State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Marine Patrol, and Maine Warden Service. A Warden’s plane and a State Police K-9 were also utilized in the search around Cox’s home. That investigation led to the discovery of a female victim found deceased locked in the trunk of a car that was located nearby the residence. The victim has not been officially identified but it is believed to be Eva Cox. The official identity will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner when an autopsy is performed in the coming days.

During the investigation, additional information was obtained that led investigators to seek an arrest warrant for murder for Paul DeForest.  DeForest was found to be at a residence in Warrenton, VA. Members of the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department responded to that residence and negotiated with DeForest over the phone to come out of the residence and after a short time, he did.  DeForest was arrested without further incident. DeForest will be held on a fugitive from a justice warrant.

That is the only information we will be releasing at this time. For a booking photo please contact the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department.

On Sunday, December 26, 2021, at approximately 8:52 pm, a 911 call was received from 47 Tranquility Lane in Perry reporting a male subject had been shot. Police officers from Pleasant Point PD and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office as well as EMTs arrived at the residence to find the victim, 50-year-old Jason “Cowboy” Aubuchon of Eastport, had been shot. Aubuchon was transported to Calais hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called to investigate the death. Aubuchon was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was performed on Monday, December 27, 2021. The death was ruled a homicide. Members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team processed the residence while detectives continued to investigate the circumstances of the death. On Thursday, December 30, 2021, an arrest warrant for the charge of murder was obtained for 40-year-old Danielle Wheeler of Perry. Wheeler who was Aubuchon’s ex-girlfriend was located in Perry and was arrested without incident. Wheeler was transported to the Washington County Jail. Her initial appearance has not been determined. 
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

Maine State Police continue to investigate a death that occurred in Machias on Thursday, November 4, 2021. 
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of what sounded like gunshots near High street at approximately 12:24 a.m. on November 4, 2021.  The sheriff’s department responded to the area but did not locate any people or vehicles that seemed suspicious.  At approximately 7:52 a.m., a resident of High Street was leaving her home when she saw a deceased male on the lawn.  The police were called and responded.  The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called and continues to investigate the circumstances of the death.  The victim is a 17 year old male from New York.  The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy was performed Friday, November 5, 2021. The death is being ruled as a homicide.  The police are seeking the public’s help.  If anyone has information pertaining to this situation or saw something in the vicinity of High street between midnight and 8 a.m. on November 4th, please contact the Maine State Police at 973-3700 and leave a message for lead detective, Det. Chad Lindsey.  The State Police are being assisted by Machias Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Maine Warden Service, MDEA and USBP.  The Police do not believe there is an ongoing public safety concern.
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO 

On the evening of September 24, 2015, the Caribou Fire Department responded to a house fire on lower Lyndon Street in Caribou. After putting the fire out firefighters discovered the body of the homeowner, 58-year-old Kenneth Zernicke.  Zernicke’s death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, but the case was never solved. 

Zernicke’s home is located near a busy four-way intersection and Maine State Police Detectives have always hoped someone saw something that would help with the investigation.

“It’s a small town. Somebody knows what happened to my brother. I just want them to come forward and do the right thing. I’m hoping this reward will help make that happen” said Zernicke’s brother Joe Bourgoine who described Ken as an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish.

Bourgoine has spent the past six years saving money for a reward that he hopes will provide answers.
The reward being offered is $10,000. 

If anyone has information about the case they are asked to contact Detective Adam Bell at the Houlton Barracks, 207.532.5400
 

On Monday, January 25, 2021, at approximately 9:40 a.m., Maine State Police Troopers from Troop C received a call to check the well-being of an individual on the Hovey Road in New Sharon.  Accompanied by a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy the Trooper responded to the residence.  Upon their arrival, they discovered the adult bodies of one male and one female.  After conducting the post-mortem examinations on the deceased individuals Tuesday morning, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner identified this as a domestic violence homicide-suicide.  

The victim is identified as 42-year-old Jessica Dapolito  (homicide). The suspect is identified as 55-year-old Robert Dapolito (suicide).  Both individuals died from gunshot wounds.  Crime scene technicians and analysts from the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team completed processing the crime scene on Monday evening. 

Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit - South continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.
 

The Maine State Police, Major Crimes Unit-South, and Lewiston Police Department have charged a 20-year-old Auburn man with Murder in connection to the October 31, 2020 shooting of Hassan Hassan on River Street in Lewiston.  Abdikadir A. Nur was arrested by the Auburn Police Department on November 2 at approximately 9:00 p.m. at his mother’s residence on Aspen Street in Auburn.  Nur was arrested on a Maine State Police warrant for Violation of Conditions of Release. Nur was out on $10,000 bail since September 30 after being arrested by Lewiston Police for Elevated Aggravated Assault in July for his involvement in a previous shooting in May.  He is currently being held at the Androscoggin County Jail.

The Maine Attorney General’s Office approved an arrest warrant for Nur this afternoon for the additional charge of Murder.  The charges are a result of an extensive investigation by the Maine State Police, Lewiston Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Portland Police Department, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, US Marshal’s Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security.  
 

The victim of the shooting in Lewiston on Oct. 31, 2020, has been identified as Hassan Hassan, 18, of Lewiston. He died at Central Maine Medical Center this morning (Nov. 1, 2020) at 2:44 a.m. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner completed the autopsy and ruled the death a homicide.
 
Detectives continue to work with the Lewiston Police Department in interviewing witnesses. Authorities still believe there is no ongoing threat to the public. 
 
Anyone with information about this incident should call the Lewiston Police Department at 207-513-3000 or Maine State Police at 207-624-7076 x9.
 

State Police arrested a local man and charged him in connection with the deaths of his sister and her husband. 64-year-old Glenn Brown of Lincolnville was charged with murder around 7 p.m. on Oct. 5, and taken to the Waldo County Jail. He is charged with the deaths Monday night of 64-year-old Richard Bowden and 64-year-old Tina Bowden. The State Medical Examiner’s office said the Bowden’s died from gunshot wounds. 

Glenn Brown walked into the Belfast Police Department to report the shooting. The Belfast Police Department and the Waldo County Sheriff’s department responded to the Bowden’s home on Bonne Terre Road in Waldo. Medical personnel arrived at the residence and transported Richard Bowden to Waldo County General hospital in Belfast where he died. Tina Bowden was located deceased at the residence. 

State Police Detectives and Evidence Response team members worked through the evening at the Bowden’s residence and conducted interviews. Detectives will continue this work throughout the week. 

Glenn Brown will make his first appearance in Waldo County Superior court on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 7).  
 

State Police say the man who died at a Squire Court residence in Winthrop Saturday night was shot to death. The State Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death a homicide. Investigators continue to investigate the circumstances of the death. The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Joshua Martin, formerly of Rochester, NY. Martin was last known to be staying in the Augusta area.   

Investigators will continue to review evidence, the autopsy results and interviews in consultation with the Attorney General’s office.