In the early morning hours of October 23, 2012, the quiet town of Lamoine, Maine, was irrevocably shattered by a tragic act of violence that claimed the life of 50-year-old Robert Tilden, a male resident known for his entrepreneurial spirit. The fatal encounter also resulted in the death of his brother-in-law, 50-year-old Russell Pinkham. The two men were shot and killed outside their homes on the family's property.
The suspect in the double homicide was identified as Robert Tilden's
27-year-old son, Leon R. Tilden. Family members had reportedly been concerned about Leon's recent erratic behavior, noting that he seemed depressed and had been staying up late, sometimes discharging firearms in the middle of the night. In a chilling premonition, Robert Tilden had confided in a neighbor that he was afraid his son was going to kill him.
Following the shootings, which occurred around 3:30 a.m., a manhunt for Leon Tilden was initiated by law enforcement. The search concluded around 10 a.m. when members of the Maine State Police Tactical Team located him near the family property. An armed confrontation ensued, during which Leon Tilden was shot by a detective. He was transported to a local medical center where he succumbed to his injuries later that morning, closing the investigation as the primary suspect was deceased.
Robert Tilden was remembered in the community as a hardworking and versatile man, engaging in various seasonal occupations that included making Christmas wreaths and creating chainsaw art. He was also a clammer and bloodworm harvester, a skill he once showcased on the Discovery Channel's show "Dirty Jobs." Friends and acquaintances described both him and his brother-in-law as good, down-to-earth people. The motive for the tragic killings remains unclear, leaving a community to grapple with the sudden and violent loss.
