By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
HOWLAND — The body of a missing 24-year-old Caribou native was found last Wednesday, about a quarter mile away from the makeshift stage area where he was supposed to have performed with his band late evening on April 21.
Dozens of people searched last Tuesday a densely forested area where Dean Levasseur was last seen at an annual secret music festival and party, held this year in Howland on private logging land.
An autopsy by the state Medical Examiner’s Office showed that Levasseur died from a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland said on Thursday.
McCausland also said that a handgun Levasseur had purchased earlier in the month was found with his body.
State police detectives say their investigation indicates that Levasseur likely shot himself around 1:30 a.m. on April 22.
After learning of Levasseur’s passing, his family thanked those who assisted in the effort “to locate our very beloved Dean.”
A vigil mourning the loss of the young man was held on Thursday night in Caribou.
Levasseur’s obituary can be found in the Obitiuaries section.
