Carrabassett Valley man accused of fatally shooting girlfriend as new allegations surface
CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME – A fatal shooting inside a western Maine condominium has led to a murder charge against a 24-year-old man, as investigators detail a series of frantic emergency calls and allegations of prior abuse in the relationship.
Austin Doucette is accused of killing his girlfriend, 23-year-old Mikayla Rose DeSantis, after she was shot at the Left Bank condominiums on March 8. DeSantis was airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she later died from her injuries, according to Maine State Police.
During multiple 911 calls that night, Doucette was described as “very hysterical” and made statements acknowledging the shooting while claiming it was accidental. “I can’t believe I did this,” the caller said, according to police. He was also heard telling DeSantis, “I’m sorry babe.”
History of alleged abuse detailed in warrants
Investigators say the relationship between Doucette and DeSantis, who both worked at Sugarloaf Mountain ski resort, had signs of ongoing conflict. The couple, originally from Connecticut, had been dating since 2018 and moved to Maine in 2024.
According to search warrants obtained by local media, multiple coworkers and acquaintances described Doucette as verbally and emotionally abusive. One coworker told police he sent derogatory messages and made threats of physical harm, while another reported witnessing him shove DeSantis on two occasions.
A resort manager told investigators that DeSantis once said Doucette grabbed her arm as she was leaving for work but that she “downplayed” the incident. In February, she reportedly asked to work shifts opposite Doucette to avoid being home with him.
Police also allege DeSantis had been paying off Doucette’s credit card bills, leaving herself with little money.
911 calls and evidence from the scene
A separate 911 call made by Doucette’s father’s girlfriend described a chaotic situation unfolding that night. The caller reported that Doucette said he was being chased by police, that something had happened to DeSantis, and that he intended to harm himself before the call ended.
Officers later stopped Doucette’s vehicle, where they reported finding reddish-brown stains in the back seat, along with a receipt and a cellphone believed to belong to DeSantis.
During an interview with investigators, Doucette reiterated that the shooting was accidental and said the firearm, described by a paramedic as a .45-caliber gun, remained inside the condominium. He later invoked his right to remain silent and requested an attorney.
Medical findings and cause of death
A paramedic told detectives that Doucette described the gun going off during the initial encounter. At the hospital, medical personnel determined DeSantis had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and had lost significant blood.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled her death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound.
Authorities have not released further details on what led to the shooting as the case proceeds.
