Cynthia Beatson, 43, was murdered on Labor Day weekend, September 4, 2006, at the Black Bear Bed & Breakfast in Newry, Maine. A Bethel resident who had moved to Maine in 1992, she lived with her husband Douglas and daughter Carlee and worked recently in real estate after earlier seasons at Sunday River Ski Resort. Known for skiing, hiking, golfing and sewing elaborate Halloween costumes, she had gone to the inn with friend and colleague Selby Bullard on the afternoon they arrived.

Both Cynthia and Selby were shot by Christian C. Nielsen, who had already killed James Whitehurst and inn owner Julie Bullard days earlier and was attempting to conceal those crimes. Nielsen’s father discovered the scene and called police. Reports say Nielsen dismembered the three female victims while attempting to hide the killings; he later admitted to the murders.