In the early morning hours of May 20, 2024, the quiet community of Great Pond, near Aurora, Maine, was disturbed by a fire that would reveal a tragic end to the life of 35-year-old Marie Robbins. A Caucasian female, Robbins was discovered deceased inside her charred residence on Old Dam Way by firefighters who had responded to the blaze around 5 a.m.
The investigation into the fire and the subsequent discovery of two bodies quickly turned into a criminal matter, with the deaths deemed suspicious by authorities.
Further investigation by the Maine State Police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the second individual as 38-year-old Ryan Devisme of Aurora, who was described as Robbins' former partner. The tragic event was ultimately ruled a murder-suicide. Investigators concluded that Devisme set fire to Robbins' home before taking his own life. An autopsy determined that Devisme died from the toxic effects of carbon monoxide and a self-inflicted gunshot wound. While Marie Robbins' death was ruled a homicide, the exact cause of her death remains undetermined pending further examination. Authorities have stated that they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public and have not released further details regarding the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Marie Robbins was remembered as a kind and courageous spirit who had a deep love for the outdoors, hiking, and horseback riding. A 2007 graduate of MDI High School, she was a talented equestrian involved in competitive jumping and barrel racing. In a testament to her community spirit, Robbins had recently joined the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department as one of its newest and most enthusiastic members. Her fellow firefighters mourned her loss, remembering her as a wonderful and eager member of their team. She had moved to Great Pond in 2023 and also worked as the color studio and operations manager at Lunaform in Sullivan, where she had been employed for a decade.
