Cory Ray Fields, a 41-year-old man from Indian Island, Maine, was known for his fierce loyalty, his love for family, and a sense of humor that could make anyone laugh. A member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, Cory was a husband to his wife, Marria, and a devoted father to their six children: Johnathan, Baylee, Zayne, Sienna, Ethan, and Anjolie. For nearly two decades, he worked as a roofing contractor in the Bangor area, taking pride in his strong work ethic and often helping friends who needed
work. Friends remembered him as a positive person and "one of the best dudes" they had ever known. Cory was a people person who could talk for hours, sharing stories and connecting with others. He found joy in music, playing the guitar and drums and attending concerts, and loved the freedom of outdoor adventures like snowmobiling, riding dirt bikes, and exploring on ATVs.
The night of Saturday, October 10, 2026, brought a sudden and violent end to Cory's life. At approximately 9:28 p.m., the Indian Township Police Department received a report of a shooting at a residence at 312 Peter Dana Point Road in Indian Township, located on the Passamaquoddy reservation. When officers from several local and tribal agencies arrived, they discovered Cory Fields inside the home. He was deceased at the scene. An autopsy would later be performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which determined that Cory's cause of death was gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide.
The response to the shooting involved multiple agencies, including the Indian Township Police and Fire-Rescue, the Passamaquoddy Tribal Warden Service, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Due to the nature of the death, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called in to lead the homicide investigation. As a result of the evidence gathered at the scene and through their initial investigation, state police identified a suspect. Later that same night, officers arrested 46-year-old Jeremy Stevens of Indian Township without incident.
Jeremy Stevens was charged with the murder of Cory Fields and transported to the Washington County Jail. He made his first court appearance via video from the jail on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. During the hearing, Stevens was formally charged with intentional or knowing murder but did not enter a plea, which is standard procedure in such cases in Maine. A judge ordered him to be held without bail pending a future hearing, where prosecutors would argue for him to remain in custody until his trial is completed. The case was expected to be presented to a grand jury to decide on an indictment.
The loss of Cory Fields sent waves of shock and grief through his family and the wider Wabanaki community. In a joint statement, the chiefs of the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes expressed their "shock and deep sadness." They wrote, "Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life, and with the entire Wabanaki community as we grieve this devastating loss… When a life is lost to violence, the pain reaches beyond one family. It is felt throughout our communities and across our Nations." Tribal leaders also noted that additional mental health services would be available for community members and that tribal law enforcement was cooperating with the state police investigation.
In the wake of his death, Cory's sister, Lana Fields, started a GoFundMe campaign titled "Justice for Cory Fields." She wrote that the family's hearts were broken and that they were facing the "unimaginable pain of losing him while also searching for answers, justice, and accountability." The fundraiser was established to help with funeral and memorial expenses, legal costs, and to provide support for Cory's children during the devastating time. A funeral service to celebrate Cory's life was held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Sockalexis Arena on Indian Island, followed by a burial at the Tribal Cemetery. As of October 2026, the criminal case against Jeremy Stevens was in its preliminary stages, and the investigation by Maine State Police was ongoing.
