Maine medical examiner rules three deaths in Roque Bluffs accidental drowning

The Maine Chief Medical Examiner has ruled the deaths of a 61-year-old woman and her two grandchildren as accidental drownings. Sharon Bukulmez of Mount Desert, along with 5-year-old Kinsley Grubb and 3-year-old Sawyer Grubb of Bar Harbor, were found deceased in a submerged vehicle near a boat ramp at the end of Schoppee Road in Roque Bluffs.

The trio was last seen on the evening of September 19, 2026, traveling from a family function in Jonesboro toward Machias. After they failed to arrive, law enforcement used cellphone location data to locate the vehicle in the water. Divers recovered the vehicle the following morning.

The incident occurred at a location where the roadway leads directly into the water without a barrier. Local officials noted that plans to revamp the boat ramp area to improve safety had previously been delayed by the state. A metal gate has since been installed at the end of the road. Maine State Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the accident.