Carrabassett Valley man charged with murder in shooting death of Sugarloaf co-worker

24 year old Austin Doucette was arrested for the murder of Makayla Rose Desantis in Carrabassett Valley. Both were employees at Sugarloaf resort.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 8:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from WABI-TV

Emergency Response to Left Bank Residence

A tragic incident has shaken the tight-knit community of Sugarloaf ski resort. On Sunday, March 8, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Franklin County Regional Communications Center received a report of a shooting at a home on Left Bank in Carrabassett Valley. First responders arriving at the scene located a young woman suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was initially rushed to MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington before being transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she was later pronounced dead.

Suspect and Victim Identified as Co-workers

The victim has been identified as 23 year old Makayla Rose Desantis of Colchester, Connecticut. Authorities confirmed that Desantis was an employee at Sugarloaf, as was the man now accused of her death. Following an investigation led by the Maine State Police, 24 year old Austin Doucette of Carrabassett Valley was arrested on Monday and formally charged with murder. The relationship between the two beyond their status as colleagues remains a focal point of the ongoing inquiry.

Maine State Police Lead Ongoing Investigation

While an arrest has been made, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit continues to process evidence and interview witnesses to establish a motive. Detectives remained at the Left Bank residence throughout Monday to conduct a forensic analysis of the scene. State police have not yet released details regarding the type of firearm used or the specific circumstances that preceded the shooting. The case has cast a somber mood over the resort during a busy period of the ski season, with many staff members expressing shock at the loss of a young colleague.