Maine's Largest Cities See Dramatic Drop in Homicides in 2025

State police report just 1 homicide across Bangor, Portland, and Lewiston last year as overall killings decline statewide.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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According to recently released data from Maine State Police, the state's three largest cities - Bangor, Portland, and Lewiston - recorded just one homicide between them in 2025, a significant drop compared to previous years. Overall, the state saw 21 homicides investigated by state police last year, a decline from the deadlier 2023 and 2024 periods. While some rural areas saw more killings, police leaders in the major cities confirmed the lack of homicides in their jurisdictions.

Why it matters

The dramatic decrease in homicides in Maine's largest cities is notable, as urban areas often see higher rates of violent crime. The statewide decline also bucks national trends, where homicides have generally increased in recent years. The data raises questions about what factors may be contributing to the drop in killings, including potential changes in policing strategies, social services, or other community-based initiatives.

The details

In 2025, Bangor and Portland both reported zero homicides, while Lewiston had one killing involving a 4-year-old child who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. State police classified this as a homicide, though Lewiston police do not consider negligent manslaughter cases to be homicides. The state's overall homicide total of 21 included several suspected murder-suicides and the death of a 3-year-old girl whose mother is charged with manslaughter. Many of the other killings occurred in smaller, rural towns across Maine.

  • In 2023 and 2024, Maine saw some of its deadliest years on record.
  • In 2025, the state recorded just 21 homicides investigated by state police, a decline from previous years.
  • The longest period without a killing in Maine was 82 days in 2025.
  • The most homicides occurred in March and September, with four each month.

The players

Bangor Police

The Bangor Police Department confirmed it did not record any homicides in 2025.

Portland Police

The Portland Police Department also confirmed it did not record any homicides in 2025.

Lewiston Police

Lewiston had one homicide in 2025, involving the death of a 4-year-old child from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Maine State Police

The Maine State Police investigated a total of 21 homicides across the state in 2025.

Elias Silverman

A professor emeritus at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York who commented on the homicide trends in Maine.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The state legislature has called for an investigation into the Department of Health and Human Services' interactions with the family of the 16-year-old accused of killing two relatives in Chelsea.

The takeaway

The significant drop in homicides across Maine's largest cities, especially compared to the deadlier years of 2023 and 2024, suggests that the state may be making progress in addressing violent crime. However, the persistence of killings in rural areas underscores the need for a comprehensive, statewide approach to public safety and community-based violence prevention efforts.