On New Year's Day in 2019, the life of 31-year-old Caucasian female Heather Bickford was tragically cut short in her South Paris, Maine, apartment. She was found deceased alongside her boyfriend, 31-year-old Dana Hill, both victims of a fatal shooting. The grim discovery was made even more heartbreaking by the presence of Bickford's two young daughters, an infant and an 8-year-old, who were in the home at the time but were physically unharmed.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on
Heather Bickford's ex-boyfriend, 49-year-old Mark Penley of Peru. Evidence revealed a history of domestic turmoil and Penley's growing jealousy over Bickford's new relationship with Hill. In the days leading up to the murders, Bickford had expressed fear of Penley and had been making plans to file for a protection from abuse order against him. She had even asked a local police officer to be on the lookout for his vehicle due to her concerns. Penley's threats had been escalating, with witnesses reporting that he had stalked the couple and had spoken of buying bullets to kill them both.
Following the discovery of the bodies, Penley himself placed a call to 911 to report that he had found Bickford and Hill dead. When police arrived at the apartment, they found Penley inside, holding Bickford's infant daughter. Despite his attempts to portray himself as an innocent party who had stumbled upon a tragic scene, the evidence at the scene and from his vehicle, including ammunition that matched the type used in the killings, pointed to his guilt.
Mark Penley was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. His trial brought to light the extent of his abusive and controlling behavior. In October 2021, a jury found him guilty of the murders of Heather Bickford and Dana Hill. He was subsequently sentenced to two life sentences for his crimes. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court later affirmed this sentence in February 2024.
