Tragic Incident At Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Resort In Maine

While it's unclear at the moment exactly what took place over the weekend at Sugarloaf Mountain Ski resort in Carabassette Valley, officials with the organization say one person perished over the weekend, but it does not appear to be related to anything to do with an winter activities that took place on the slopes.

According to Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, first responders were sent to the mountain just after 7:30 PM Sunday, March 8th, following a 911 call stating that someone there had been shot.

When they arrived, they confirmed that 23-year-old Makayla Rose Desantis of Colchester, Connecticut, had indeed been injured in a shooting and immediately worked to get her medical attention.

"First responders transported Makayla to MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington prior to her eventual transport to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she succumbed to her injuries. Investigators learned that Makayla sustained her injuries at a residence on Left Bank in Carrabassett Valley. On the evening of March 9, 2026, 24-year-old Austin Doucette of Carrabassett Valley was arrested and charged with the murder of Makayla Rose Desantis."

It appears that both Desantis and Doucette were part of the staff at the resort.

Sugarloaf's Vice President of Marketing, Jessica Sechler, later told WMTW that "an incident occurred involving two members of the Sugarloaf team."

Members of the Maine State Police Major Crimes unit, along with local law enforcement officials with the Franklin County Sheriff's office and the Carrabassett Valley Police Department, are looking into the incident.

Moss said authorities did not feel there was a risk to the public at this time.

The year-round resort, which celebrated its 75th season of business this year, is gearing up to host their 38th Annual Reggae Festival next month, from April 10th through the 12th.

We will update this story as details are official details are released.