ROQUE BLUFFS, Maine — The Mount Desert and Bar Harbor communities are mourning the deaths of Sharon Bukulmez, 61, and her two young grandchildren, Kinsley Grubb, 5, and Sawyer Grubb, 3, after the three were found inside a vehicle submerged in Pond Cove on Sunday morning, according to Maine State Police.

Bukulmez and the children had been reported missing after they failed to arrive at their expected destination in Machias following a family gathering in Jonesboro.

Sharon Bukulmez and Grandchildren Reported Missing

Investigators said Bukulmez and the children were last seen at approximately 8:30 p.m. Saturday, September 19, after leaving a family function in Jonesboro.

The family members were expected to travel to Machias but did not arrive. Their failure to reach their destination prompted concerned relatives to contact authorities and begin efforts to locate them.

During the search, the Bar Harbor Police Department obtained cellphone-location information associated with Bukulmez’s phone. The information reportedly indicated that the device was in the water near a boat ramp at the end of Schoppee Point Road in Roque Bluffs.

The information helped direct authorities toward Pond Cove as the search continued.

Submerged Vehicle Discovered in Pond Cove

Maine State Police responded to the area after receiving the cellphone-location information. Members of the Maine State Police Dive Team and Maine Marine Patrol joined the search operation.

At approximately 7 a.m. Sunday, authorities located the vehicle submerged in Pond Cove. Bukulmez and both children were subsequently recovered from the vehicle.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Coast Guard also assisted authorities during the recovery operation.

The three bodies were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for examination. Autopsies are expected to assist authorities in determining the official cause and manner of death.

Investigation Into the Deaths Continues

Authorities have not publicly established how the vehicle entered the water or what circumstances led to the deaths.

Maine State Police said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional information was not immediately available. The official cause and manner of death remain pending the medical examiner’s examination and any further investigative findings.

Until those findings are released, the circumstances surrounding the incident should not be assumed or characterized beyond what authorities have confirmed.

Family and Communities Mourn

The deaths of Sharon Bukulmez and her two grandchildren represent a devastating loss for their families and the communities connected to them.

Bukulmez, 61, was from Mount Desert, while Kinsley Grubb, 5, and Sawyer Grubb, 3, were from Bar Harbor. Their deaths followed a family gathering in Jonesboro and occurred during an effort to travel to Machias.

Family members, friends and community members are now left mourning three lives lost in the same tragic incident.

Funeral arrangements, memorial information and additional details about the family may be released separately.

This remains a developing story. Further information may become available as Maine State Police continue their investigation and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner completes its examination.

This report is based on information attributed to Maine State Police and the details provided regarding the incident. The official cause and manner of death have not yet been publicly determined.