Christal Hanson Denis, 45, was found dead at her North Waterboro home on New Dam Road on July 20, 2019, the victim of a fatal gunshot wound. Deputies conducting a welfare check discovered Christal and her husband, Christopher Denis, also 45, deceased in the living room. Investigators concluded Christopher shot his wife with a shotgun and then turned the weapon on himself; autopsies confirmed the cause of death for both.

Christal was a lifelong resident of the area, a 1991 graduate of Massabesic High School, and for more than two decades co-owner with her mother of Deer Pond Fuel. Family remembered her as hardworking and devoted to her children and grandchildren. The couple had been married about ten years and enjoyed boating on Lake Arrowhead. There were no prior domestic violence calls to the household, and Christopher’s record consisted of a few misdemeanor charges in the early 2000s.

Authorities treated Christopher as the sole suspect and considered the case closed. If anyone knew Christal or has information about the events leading up to July 20, 2019, please come forward with what you know.