A tragic case from Maine has revealed disturbing new details about a young woman’s death, where a man is now facing serious murder charges. What initially appeared to be an accident is now being closely examined by investigators, uncovering a troubling history in the couple’s relationship.
Incident at the Condominium
The incident took place at the Left Bank condominiums in Carrabassett Valley, a small town located about 120 miles from Portland. On March 8, 23-year-old Mikayla Rose DeSantis was shot and later airlifted to a hospital.
She was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where doctors tried to save her. Sadly, she died from her injuries despite medical efforts.
Accused and Initial Claims
The accused, Austin Doucette, 24, has been charged with murder, according to the Maine State Police.
On the night of the incident, Doucette made several emotional 911 calls. Police described him as “very hysterical” as he tried to transport DeSantis in his car before meeting paramedics.
During the calls, he reportedly said things like:
- “I can’t believe I did this”
- “I’m sorry babe”
He claimed that the shooting was accidental, but authorities are now investigating deeper into the circumstances.
Relationship Background and Allegations
As the investigation progressed, a darker side of the relationship came to light. Both Doucette and DeSantis worked at the Sugarloaf Mountain ski resort and had been in a relationship since 2018.
According to police documents, several people close to the couple shared concerning details:
- Co-workers said Doucette often insulted and belittled DeSantis
- He allegedly sent her abusive messages
- There were claims he threatened physical harm
- One co-worker said they saw him push her twice
A manager at the resort also revealed that DeSantis once mentioned he grabbed her arm, but she tried to downplay the incident.
Signs of Ongoing Trouble
There were additional warning signs in their relationship:
- DeSantis reportedly asked to work on days when Doucette was not around
- She did not want to stay at home with him
- Police say she even paid his credit card bills, leaving herself with little money
These details suggest that the relationship may have involved emotional and financial stress.
Events After the Shooting
Another 911 call was made by the girlfriend of Doucette’s father. She claimed that:
- Doucette said he was being chased by police
- He mentioned something had happened to DeSantis
- He also threatened to harm himself
Police later stopped him while he was still on the call.
Inside his car, officers found:
- Reddish-brown stains in the back seat
- A mobile phone believed to belong to DeSantis
- A receipt and other items
Investigation and Evidence
During questioning, Doucette told police that the gun used in the shooting was still inside their condo. He described it as a .45-caliber firearm.
Later, he chose to remain silent until speaking with a lawyer.
Medical teams initially believed DeSantis had suffered severe blood loss from a gunshot wound to the chest. An autopsy later confirmed that she died due to a gunshot wound.
