- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Bangor Man Accused of Killing Best Friend Found Near Body
Gary Brinson, 71, is on trial for allegedly killing Lee Ruona, 64, in December 2024.
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The first day of the trial for Gary Brinson, 71, accused of killing his friend Lee Ruona, 64, in December 2024 included testimony from several witnesses and evidence presented by prosecutors. Brinson called police the morning of the incident, saying 'I got a dead guy laying on my bed.' Police found Brinson sitting near Ruona's body, which had over 140 small puncture wounds and other injuries. Brinson and Ruona were both military veterans with PTSD who lived in the same apartment building and were 'drinking buddies'.
Why it matters
This case highlights the challenges faced by veterans with PTSD and the potential for violence when alcohol is involved. It also raises questions about mental health support and resources available to former service members in the Bangor community.
The details
Evidence showed that Brinson and Ruona had been drinking heavily the night before, splitting a gallon and a half of bourbon and several beers. Brinson called police the next morning, saying 'I got a dead guy laying on my bed.' When police arrived, they found Brinson sitting near Ruona's body, which had over 140 small puncture wounds as well as deeper injuries. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was multiple sharp and blunt force injuries.
- On December 4, 2024, Brinson called police around 10 a.m. to report Ruona's death.
- The first day of the trial was on February 24, 2026.
The players
Gary Brinson
A 71-year-old Bangor resident accused of killing his friend Lee Ruona in December 2024. Brinson and Ruona were both military veterans with PTSD.
Lee Ruona
A 64-year-old Bangor resident who was killed in December 2024. He and Brinson were 'drinking buddies' who lived in the same apartment building.
Leanne Robbin
The Maine Assistant Attorney General prosecuting the case against Brinson.
Kaylee Folster
The attorney representing Brinson in the trial.
Ann Murray
The Superior Court Justice presiding over the trial.
What they’re saying
“There's blood everywhere in the apartment. On the floor, over on the bed, the bed sheets, the walls, and he was just sitting there watching TV like nothing was wrong.”
— Jeffrey Kinney, Bangor Police Officer (Bangor Daily News)
“I beat the s—t out of my Lee. Waiting on the police. I am sorry a side I thought I was over with is back”
— Gary Brinson (Facebook)
“There were so many of them. They were everywhere.”
— Joe Orcutt, Bangor Police Detective (Bangor Daily News)
What’s next
The trial is expected to wrap up this week, with the judge saying 'the evidence is going in a way that I think it will be done this week'.
The takeaway
This tragic case highlights the ongoing struggles that some veterans with PTSD face, and the need for greater mental health support and resources in the Bangor community to prevent such violent incidents.
