BAR HARBOR (NEWS CENTER Maine) – The community of Bar Harbor is still reeling even after the man accused of murdering 19-year-old Mikaela Conley appeared in court for the first time
A judge ruled Wednesday, June 6, that 21-year-old Jalique Keene continue to be held without bail at Hancock County Jail and sealed all court documents pertaining to the case.
"It's just really difficult to even imagine this could happen in our community,” Joe Minutolo said.
Minutolo, who runs the Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop, said everyone in town wants answers as they mourn the loss of Conley.
Tourists poured into Minutolo’s shop that sits right across the street from 2 Cats Restaurant, the business owned by Conley’s family where a small memorial has been growing on the front porch.
"She worked in the bakery close by and she was just the sweet girl behind the counter,” Minutolo said.
The owner of the Mount Desert Bakery where Conley worked just down the street did not want to speak publicly but said she will be deeply missed.
Keene and Conley went to MDI High School together where he was a football player. Police records show Keene’s criminal history during include an arrest in 2012 and 2016.
Most recently, Keene was charged with providing alcohol to minors at an after-prom party in Ellsworth two years ago.
He reportedly returned to town recently after playing football for a team in Serbia. The coach of that team has not returned NEWS CENTER Maine’s request for comment.
“There's nothing that's going to make this easy. We all need to embrace each other and support the families involved an hopefully find some comfort,” Minutolo said.
Community members are showing that support on social media. Comments continuing to pour in on community pages and their business Facebook page.
Angie Bouchard commented, "Mikaela brought so much bright joy, presence, and smiles to those around her." Bouchard shared that she remembered her as someone who loved to read and "wished people her age would put down their phones more often."
A GoFundMe page, set up by local business owners, raised more than $3,500 overnight.