Authorities investigate deaths of Mount Desert woman and two grandchildren in submerged car
Maine State Police are probing the deaths of Sharon Bukulmez, 61, and her grandchildren Kinsley, 5, and Sawyer, 3, after their car was found underwater in Pond Cove.
Sharon Bukulmez, a 61-year-old resident of Mount Desert, departed a family function in Jonesboro around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday with her grandchildren, Kinsley Grubb, 5, and Sawyer Grubb, 3, both from Bar Harbor. Concern grew when they did not reach their destination in Machias later that night, prompting calls to law enforcement. Using location data from Bukulmez’s phone, Bar Harbor police identified a spot near a boat ramp on Schoppee Point Road where water indicated a possible incident.
Maine State Police, along with dive specialists and Marine Patrol, located the submerged vehicle and the three bodies at approximately 7 a.m. on Sunday. The victims were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for determination of cause and manner of death. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Why it matters
The case highlights safety concerns and investigative challenges in remote coastal areas.
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