In the quiet town of Bridgewater, Maine, the evening of January 17, 2018, was shattered by a sudden act of violence that ended the life of 79-year-old Paul Hilenski, a White male. A 911 call from Hilenski's Boundary Line Road home at approximately 6 p.m. summoned deputies from the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office and Maine State Police. Upon their arrival, they discovered Hilenski deceased inside his residence. The nature of his death was immediately considered suspicious, prompting authorities to advise nearby residents to remain indoors and secure their doors as an active investigation commenced.
The investigation into Paul Hilenski's death swiftly identified a suspect: his 37-year-old stepson, James Peaslee of Easton. Early the following morning, at around 1 a.m., police arrested Peaslee while he was driving in Easton. He was subsequently charged with murder and transported to the Aroostook County Jail. Investigators learned that Peaslee was reportedly angered by a probate court decision concerning the estate of his mother, Janet Hilenski, who had passed away in a car accident in 2015. Paul Hilenski had been married to Janet, and the dispute centered on his continued residence in the home.
Crucial evidence in the case came from a security camera system that Hilenski had installed at his home. The cameras captured the chilling moments of the crime, showing a man, later identified by police as James Peaslee, approaching the front door with a handgun. The footage showed the man knocking and then firing multiple rounds at Hilenski as he opened the door. An autopsy later confirmed that Hilenski died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The video evidence became a cornerstone of the prosecution's case against James Peaslee. During his trial, testimony revealed the extent of Peaslee's anger over the inheritance. In November 2019, James Peaslee was convicted of the murder of his stepfather. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the calculated and violent act that took the life of Paul Hilenski.
