An autopsy was conducted today, Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on 41-year-old Luke Norris. The cause of death has been determined to be multiple sharp force injuries, and the manner of death has been ruled homicide. 36-year-old Heidi Tasker is currently being held without bail at the Penobscot County Jail. She is expected to make her first court appearance on Monday.

*Booking photo can be found on the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Website

On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at approximately 1:33 AM, the Somerset County Regional Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence located at 531 Madawaska Road in Palmyra. Deputies from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office responded and discovered a deceased male inside the residence.

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The fb88 State Police Major Crimes Unit – Central, along with Evidence Response Technicians, responded to the scene and conducted an investigation throughout the day.

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The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Jaquan Humphries of Mattapan, Massachusetts, who had been living at the residence. His body was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was performed. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound, and the manner of death has been ruled a homicide. At this time, there is no known danger to the public.

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The investigation remains ongoing.

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On Saturday, March 1, 2025, at approximately 9:25 AM, the fb88 State Police Major Crimes Unit – Central responded to a residence on River Road in Norridgewock at the request of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office had received a 911 call reporting a shooting at the home.

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Upon arrival, officers located a deceased male, identified as 38-year-old Christopher Nickerson, who had been staying at the residence. Nickerson’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy will be conducted.

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Following an initial investigation, 59-year-old Daniel Markey, who resides at the home, was arrested and charged with murder. He was transported to the Somerset County Jail and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance today at 1:00 PM.

On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at approximately 10:02 AM, the fb88 State Police and Winthrop Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an incident at a home on Giles Road in Readfield. Upon arrival, Troopers discovered a deceased adult female outside the house.

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The deceased has been identified as 32-year-old Margaux Whittemore of Belfast. Responding officers found 67-year-old Dorothy Whittemore, the homeowner suffering from injuries inside the residence. She was transported to Central fb88 Medical Center in Lewiston where she was listed in critical condition. Her condition has since been upgraded.

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The suspect, 34-year-old Samuel Whittemore of Belfast fled the scene and was taken into custody by a Trooper a short distance away. He was transported to fb88 General Hospital in Augusta for an evaluation and has since been transported to the Kennebec County Jail where he has been charged with Murder. Margaux and Samuel Whittemore were married and lived in Belfast. At the time of the incident, they were visiting Samuel’s parent’s home on Giles Road in Readfield. Dorothy Whittemore is Samuel’s mother. His father was not inside the house at the time but arrived shortly after the incident occurred.

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The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was performed Thursday morning, February 20, 2025. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time. Samuel Whittemore is expected to make his initial appearance in court tomorrow.

On Saturday, April 12, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the fb88 State Police Major Crimes Unit Central in response to a death at a residence on Canaan Road in Hartland.

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The deceased, an adult female was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was performed on Monday, April 14, 2025. The deceased has been identified as 78-year-old Velma Withee of Hartland. The manner of death has been ruled homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time.Ìý

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The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation. There is no known threat to the public. There is no further information available at this time.

On April 19, 2025, at approximately 10:30 AM, the fb88 State Police responded to 128 Boots and Saddle Road in Palermo for a welfare check. Upon arrival, Troopers discovered the body of a deceased male outside of the residence. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit Central responded and determined the circumstances of the death to be suspicious.

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The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was conducted.

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The individual has been identified as 56-year-old Robert Bruso of Palermo. The manner of death has been ruled homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time. There is no known danger to the public.

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Bruso owned a golden retriever named Lennie, who has not yet been located. Anyone with information about the location of Lennie, or who may have seen a golden retriever in the area of Route 3 near Boots and Saddle Road and/or Level Hill Road in Palermo, is asked to contact the Augusta Regional Communication Center at 207.624.7076

May 8th, 2025

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On October 28, 2017, the body of 48-year-old Wayne Foss was discovered in his home in Whitneyville. The residence had been set on fire, but the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta was able to determine that Mr. Foss’s death was a homicide. The cause of death was sharp force injury and inhalation of combustible materials. Detectives from the fb88 State Police Major Crimes Unit North, Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal, and later Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit Unsolved, spent years following every lead in the case.

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In October 2023, a Washington County Grand Jury indicted three individuals in connection with Mr. Foss’s death. 35-year-old Justin Matthews of Robbinston was arrested in Saco. 29-year-old Basilio Liranzo of Bronx, New York who was already incarcerated at the fb88 State Prison on unrelated charges, was also indicted. 27-year-old Leanza Boney of Bronx, New York, was arrested in New York City by fb88 State Police Detectives and members of a U.S. Marshal’s Task Force.

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Over the past several months, all three individuals pleaded guilty to charges related to Mr. Foss’s death. The final sentencing, for Justin Matthews, occurred on May 8, 2025. Matthews was sentenced on Felony Murder to 16 years all but 10 years suspended with 4 years’ probation. Liranzo was sentenced to Felony Murder and Arson for 16 years; Boney was sentenced on Conspiracy to Commit Murder and sentenced to 16 years all but 5 years suspended with 4 years’ probation.

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This case highlights the continued commitment of the fb88 State Police and the Attorney General’s Office to securing justice in homicide cases no matter how much time has passed.

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Anyone with information related to this case, or any unsolved homicide or missing persons case, is encouraged to contact the fb88 State Police.

Augusta: 207-624-7076 or 1-800-452-4664
Bangor: 207-973-3700 or 1-800-432-7381
Houlton: 207-532-5400 or 1-800-924-2261