SACO, MAINE: Gary Mariner, a convicted rapist, is now accused of murdering a Maine woman.
He was taken into custody on November 4, from Saco, in connection to Danielle Goodwin’s murder.
Maine Police release a statement on Gary Mariner's arrest
The victim was found dead on the side of the road in September. “The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta determined the manner of her death to be homicide," Maine State Police said in a statement.
“Throughout the last eight weeks investigators from the Maine State Police, Portland Police Department, South Portland Police Department, Saco Police Department, and the ATF conducted interviews, collected video evidence, and executed search warrants within the greater Portland area," they added.
“Investigators with the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Mariner on the charge of murder and arrested him,” as per officials.
The cause of death is not being released at this time. The 65-year-old accused made an initial appearance in York County District Court on Monday, November 6.
The official cause of death is yet to be determined, as per authorities.
Gary Mariner's conviction in 2017
Mariner is a convicted rapist who was found guilty in 2017 of gross sexual assault while impersonating a police officer.
He was sentenced to 12 years with all but four suspended. Mariner allegedly misused his deceased father’s police badge and used it to pressure a sex worker into sex. His father, Herbert Mariner, is a former police chief for Cape Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, Goodwin’s mother is having a hard time processing her death. “I’m still in shock about it,” Patricia said, adding “I don’t know how any of this happened.”
“I could go on and on about all the qualities this woman had. She had a way of making anybody feel special just by being in her presence,” said Goodwin’s friend, Stephanie Doyle, as per People.
South Portland PD issued a statement earlier on November 6, “Patrol Officers from The South Portland Police Department were dispatched to Clark’s Pond Parkway near Home Depot for a person down on the embankment next to the sidewalk.”
“Police located a female and quickly determined she was deceased. Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians from the South Portland Police Department responded immediately. Detectives contacted the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and a Detective responded," they added.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
