Jyoti Hawley and William Hawley Tremont, Maine Death: Beloved Resident Has Died

With deep sorrow and heartfelt compassion, we remember the lives of Jyoti Hawley, 78, and William Hawley, 75, a devoted married couple from Tremont, Maine, whose passing earlier this week has shaken their family, friends, and the close‑knit community of Mount Desert Island. Authorities have now ruled their deaths a murder‑suicide — a heartbreaking and tragic incident that occurred at their home on Big Rocks Road on December 23, 2025.

Jyoti and William were long‑time residents of Tremont, sharing their lives together in a place known for quiet beauty and community spirit. William had a distinguished life as a composer whose musical works were performed across the United States and around the world — a testament to a creative life that resonated far beyond the shores of Maine.

Their passing under such tragic circumstances has left many hearts heavy. Jyoti’s death was ruled a homicide, and William’s death was ruled a suicide after both were found with gunshot wounds at the scene. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North, working with the Southwest Harbor Police Department, conducted autopsies and determined the manner and cause of death, and the investigation remains focused on understanding the circumstances that led to this devastating event. Officials have emphasized that this appears to be an isolated incident with no continuing threat to the public.

For those who knew them, Jyoti and William were more than neighbors — they were part of the fabric of community life in Tremont. Their home on Mount Desert Island was a place of shared memories, connection, and care, and their presence will be deeply missed by family, friends, and neighbors who valued them dearly.

To the family and loved ones of Jyoti and William, we extend our deepest condolences. There are no words that can fully ease the pain experienced at the loss of two cherished lives, especially under circumstances as difficult as these. During this time of mourning, may you find strength in the love and memories you shared — quiet moments of laughter, conversations that became treasured stories, and the lasting impact they made on those around them.

Let us honor their memory by holding close the kindness, creativity, and shared life they built together — and by offering support and comfort to one another in grief.

May Jyoti and William Hawley rest in peace.
Their lives and legacy will be remembered with love, respect, and enduring remembrance by all who knew them and by the wider Tremont community.