Grieving Maine families left with unanswered questions as accused killer of 18 people is discovered deceased

Families in Maine who are mourning the loss of their loved ones are also facing uncertainty as they seek answers following the discovery of the body of Robert Card. Card, a US Army reservist, was accused of committing the deadliest mass shooting in the country this year, claiming the lives of 18 individuals. His body was found in a recycling facility box trailer, approximately 10 miles away from Lewiston, where the tragic shootings took place at a bowling alley and a restaurant.

After a thorough 48-hour manhunt, the city of Lewiston can now begin the process of mourning following the unsettling shootings that instilled fear among residents and nearby communities. As authorities tirelessly searched for the shooter, schools were shut down and residents were forced to remain behind locked doors for two days. Elizabeth Seal, the wife of Joshua Seal, one of the victims of the shootings, shared with CNN that she is still coming to terms with the news of the suspect's demise.

"I desired his apprehension. I yearned to inquire about unanswered questions," she expressed, communicating through an American Sign Language interpreter. "What prompted this act? What was the motive? Why inflict harm upon countless families?"

Authorities are currently investigating the elusive motivation behind the tragic assault and the exact moment of Card's demise. At the press conference on Saturday, Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck revealed that the suspect had left a note for his family, indicating his intention to "be absent" and ensuring their access to his phone.

Yet Seal also feels relieved. "Its important that he was found," she said, "and hes gone."

Tricia Asselin, Peyton Brewer-Ross, Tommy Conrad, Michael Deslauriers II, and Bryan MacFarlane are seated in the first row. In the second row, we have Arthur Strout, Joseph Walker, Joshua Seal, Maxx Hathaway, and Ron Morin. Completing the group in the third row are Bill Young, Aaron Young, Stephen Vozzella, Bob Violette, William Bracket, Jason Adam Walker, Keith D. Macneir, and Lucille M. Violette. They belong to the Maine Department of Public Safety.

What we know about the victims of the Maine mass shooting

Rob Young, whose brother Bill Young and 14-year-old nephew Aaron were killed in the shooting, told CNN this was the ideal outcome.

"No, there's no reason for anyone to bring my brother and nephew back... We didn't want to go through a trial. We didn't want to witness all the horrifying details," Young expressed.

Tammy Asselin, a survivor whose cousin, Tricia Asselin, tragically lost her life in the shooting, wonders about the motive behind the gunman's choice of locations and why he would open fire in the presence of children.

"It's those why questions that remain unanswered and will likely never be resolved," she remarked.

Authorities at both federal and local levels are currently endeavoring to reconstruct the events preceding the violence, as well as determine the motives behind the shootings.

A team from the FBI specialized in exploiting social media has been assigned to review the suspect's online presence in order to uncover a potential motive, additional attack plans, and any potential witnesses who may have been in contact with the suspect, according to a federal law enforcement source who spoke to CNN on Friday.

Additionally, authorities are actively working on establishing a timeline of events between the second attack and the discovery of the suspect's deceased body, as stated by a senior source closely involved in the investigation.

The suspect's pursuit commenced on Wednesday night following the occurrence of gunfire at Just-in-Time Recreation and subsequently at Schemengees Bar & Grille in Lewiston, as reported by officials.

A woman is hugged by a man at a reunification center at Auburn Middle School, in Auburn, Maine, after shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

Derek Davis/AP

Below is a revised version of the

Here is a chronological overview of the mass shooting incident that took place in Maine, along with the ongoing search for the suspect.

A total of 18 individuals lost their lives in this tragic event, with ages spanning from 14 to 76. Among the victims were a young boy who was spending time bowling with his father, participants in a cornhole tournament for the deaf, and several fathers who leave behind young children. As of Saturday, five injured victims remained hospitalized, three of whom were in critical condition.

Residents came together on Saturday for a candlelight vigil honoring the victims of the shootings. Mayor Carl Sheline expressed his condolences, acknowledging the senselessness and tragedy of the recent violence. Despite this, he reassured the community that Lewiston, known for its strength and resilience, will endure and overcome. His message, shared with CNN on Saturday, instilled confidence in the city's ability to recover.

"Right now Im just wholly focused on, you know, healing our city and getting things back to normal as quickly as possible," the mayor added.

People attend a candlelight vigil on Saturday in Lisbon, Maine, to honor the victims of the Lewiston shootings that killed 18 people.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Suspects note to family and guns found in box trailer, police say

The attacks on Wednesday began shortly before 7 p.m., with the suspect opening fire at Just-In-Time Recreation, authorities say.

Approximately 12 minutes after the initial reports from the bowling alley, authorities were alerted to multiple 911 calls regarding a gunman at Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant, situated approximately 4 miles away.

The occurrence of the shooting and the subsequent search for Card resulted in orders for residents of Androscoggin and northern Sagadahoc counties, which encompass Lewiston, Auburn, and Lisbon, to remain indoors for their safety.

Law enforcement authorities report that Card, an Army reservist and certified firearms instructor, possessed considerable expertise in land navigation and firearms. An individual who served alongside him described him as a proficient marksman, considered one of the top shooters in his unit.

Over the course of two days, inhabitants of the typically peaceful locality witnessed law enforcement officers equipped with rifles encircling and scouring different sites. The search, involving divers, underwater vessels, and aircraft, concluded on Friday with the discovery of his body.

On October 26, 2023, in Bowdoin, Maine, law enforcement authorities converge on the road leading to the residence of the suspect wanted in connection with two separate mass shootings. The shootings, which occurred the previous night in Lewiston, left 18 people dead at a bowling alley and a bar, with an additional 13 individuals injured. The sought-after suspect is Robert Card, a 40-year-old U.S. Army Reservist. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

During manhunt for suspect in Maine shooting that killed 18, authorities twice converge Thursday on his last known residence

During the news conference held on Saturday, Sauschuck disclosed that the body of Cards was discovered inside a box trailer located in an overflow parking lot of Maine Recycling Corporation in Lisbon. A reliable source from law enforcement also conveyed that Card had been terminated from the recycling center not long ago.

The facility was initially deemed clear after a search, but the owner of Maine Recycling later guided law enforcement to additional trailers that were overlooked as part of the same recycling center.

The exact timing of Card's death remains unclear. Sauschuck noted that the suspect was wearing the same sweatshirt observed in the surveillance video from the shooting on Wednesday night, indicating that he did not change his attire.

Two firearms were discovered next to Cards body, along with a message addressed to his family, according to Sauschuck.

"It is a message for a beloved person, and it includes the passcode for my phone, as well as the bank account numbers," Sauschuck stated during the press conference held on Saturday. "I wouldn't categorize it as an explicit suicide note, but the overall tone and content conveyed that the person did not intend to be present anymore and wanted to ensure that this loved one could access the phone and its contents."

Law enforcement sources told CNN on Thursday that while no motive has been announced, a significant theory has emerged regarding the targeting of the bowling alley and restaurant during the investigation. CNN's John Miller reported that Card, who recently ended a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, may have visited these places because they were previously frequented by the couple. Consequently, investigators conducted a search at Card's residence on Thursday, seeking computers, notes, weapons, or any other potential evidence that may indicate a premeditated plan for the shootings.

According to Sauschuck, the Cards family has been helpful in assisting investigators and played a vital role in identifying the shooter. Unfortunately, the family has been unjustly targeted with threats due to their involvement, as stated by Sauschuck.

18 lives cut short

Tricia Asselin, Peyton Brewer-Ross, Tommy Conrad, Michael Deslauriers II, and Bryan MacFarlane make up the first row. The second row consists of Arthur Strout, Joseph Walker, Joshua Seal, Maxx Hathaway, and Ron Morin. Bill Young, Aaron Young, Stephen Vozzella, Bob Violette, Billy Bracket, Jason Adam Walker, Keith D. Macneir, and Lucille M. Violette complete the third row. These individuals are all affiliated with the Maine Department of Public Safety.

The 18 victims of the shooting rampage were identified on Friday, with their ages ranging from 14 to 76. Among them was Aaron Young, a boy who was killed while bowling with his father. According to Kayla Putnam, Aaron's sister and Bill's stepdaughter, he was an honor student who took great pride in his grades. Bill, Aaron's father, was described as an auto mechanic and the pillar of the family.

"There is no way to adequately prepare for this," stated Rob Young, the brother of Bill. The wife of his deceased brother has suffered a devastating loss, losing everything in the process.

"Her son meant everything to her, and my brother was not only her best friend but also her soulmate. Both of them were abruptly taken away," Young mournfully expressed. "They bid farewell, with him going to the bowling alley, never to be seen by her again."

Beloved American Sign Language interpreter Joshua Seal, who was participating in the cornhole tournament for deaf athletes at Schemengees, tragically lost his life on Wednesday, as confirmed by his wife and reported by CNN affiliate, WGME.

Attendees of a vigil embrace in Lisbon Falls, Maine, Saturday.

Robert F. Bukaty/AP

Elizabeth Seal paid tribute to her husband on Facebook, praising his dedication as a father and his love for their children. According to her, Joshua always enjoyed spending quality time with them, whether it was embarking on trips, visiting the beach for a day, or going camping for the weekend. Elizabeth also expressed her admiration for him as a husband, describing him as her best friend and soulmate. Not only was he an exceptional father and husband, but he was also highly regarded as a boss, interpreter, friend, son, brother, uncle, and grandson. His unwavering love for his family and his commitment to putting them first left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

The deadly rampage on Wednesday marks the deadliest mass shooting in the United States so far this year. In total, there have been at least 572 mass shootings across the country in which four or more people were shot, excluding the shooter, according to the Gun Violence Archive. This report was contributed to by CNN's Andy Rose, Raja Razek, Ashley R. Williams, Sara Smart, John Miller, and Aya Elamroussi.