In the late hours of a Friday evening in Biddeford, Maine, the life of Gene Arthur Dares, a 46-year-old Caucasian male, was brought to an abrupt and violent end. On September 27, 2024, at approximately 10:53 p.m., the sound of gunfire on Foss Street prompted a 911 call to the Biddeford Police Department. Responding officers arrived to a grim scene, discovering Dares suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite the immediate efforts of emergency responders to render aid, he was pronounced dead at the location.
The subsequent investigation into Dares' death quickly transitioned into a homicide case. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that the cause of his death was multiple gunshot wounds. As investigators delved into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, a narrative of a pre-meditated and staged event began to emerge. They learned that the incident was rooted in a long-standing dispute and orchestrated under the guise of a drug transaction. First responders at the scene noted that Dares' pockets were turned inside out, and a backpack containing drug paraphernalia was found nearby.
A month of intensive investigation led to a significant breakthrough. On October 28, 2024, authorities arrested two individuals in connection with the murder. Garret Labonte, 45, and Linda Lambert, 57, both residents of Biddeford, were taken into custody at a residence on South Street without incident. The investigation revealed a sinister plot allegedly orchestrated by Lambert. She is accused of arranging a meeting between Labonte and Dares at her Foss Street home under the pretense of a cocaine deal. It is believed that Lambert had informed Labonte that Dares would be coming to her residence.
Prosecutors have charged Labonte with murder, felony murder, and robbery, while Lambert faces charges of felony murder and robbery. The investigation uncovered that Lambert had purchased the firearm used in the shooting for Labonte, as he was legally prohibited from owning one. After the shooting, the weapon was reportedly disposed of in the Saco River but was later recovered by investigators. Both Labonte and Lambert have extensive criminal records stretching back over two decades, with convictions for a variety of offenses including assault, theft, and drug-related charges. Both are being held at the York County Jail and were scheduled for their initial court appearance on October 30, 2024.
