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Maine man accused of Alaska slaying in court

Steven H. Downs is scheduled to be in District Court in Lewiston to face first-degree murder and sexual assault charges for death of University of Alaska, Fairbanks student, Sophie Sergie, in 1993.

LEWISTON, Maine — A Maine man wanted in Alaska in connection to a 1993 cold case murder was scheduled to be in a Lewiston courtroom Tuesday afternoon.

Alaska State Troopers and Maine State Police believe Steven H. Downs is the suspect of the brutal killing and sexual assault of University of Alaska, Fairbanks student, Sophie Sergie, on April 26th, 1993.

RELATED: Auburn man charged in 26-year Alaska cold case

According to Court Documents in Alaska, Downs had no criminal record leading up to the charges of first-degree murder and sexual assault.

Credit: NCM
Steven H. Downs in 2019 (Left), Edward Little H.S. yearbook photo in 1992 (Right)

On Feb. 15,  Downs was arrested without incident outside of a Fireside Inn where he was staying. A search warrant was obtained for his Hillcrest Street home in Auburn, and investigators say they made a positive DNA match from a swab of Downs’ mouth.

RELATED: New details emerge from cold case suspect's past

Documents say Downs spent time after college in Arizona, and then returned to Maine to work as a registered nurse. He was discharged from the Harris House in Livermore Falls for a “totality of substandard performance,” according to the State of Maine Board of Nursing. Downs was issued a warning in 2017.

Credit: NCM

Before attending the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in the Fall of 1992, Downs graduated from Edward Little High School. In the ELHS yearbook, he occasionally went by Steve. The entry says he ran cross-country and track, skied, and was in a drama club. Downs quoted Stephen King in the yearbook. 

Credit: NCM

"I think that this really is the end. Thank you again for coming with me, and rest you well. But, being who I am and what I am, I can not find it in my heart to wish you pleasant dreams.” - Stephen King

Credit: NCM

Law enforcement plan to extradite Downs for a trial in Alaska.

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