Thread: Illegal Accused of Killing Beloved Co-Owner of Maine Brewery | Stacy Strattard

Illegal Alien Accused of Killing Beloved Co-Owner of Maine Brewery in Crash



by John Binder 21 Aug 2025

An illegal alien who overstayed his tourist visa is accused of tragically killing 64-year-old Stacy Strattard—the co-owner of Birchwood Brewing in Gray, Maine—in a pedestrian-vehicle crash.

On August 16, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office says, Stacy Strattard was crossing a road in New Gloucester, Maine, when 49-year-old Mukendi Mbiya struck her with his 2016 Ford Fusion.

Strattard was killed at the scene of the crash. Mbiya, questioned by police, has not been charged yet, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Police said Mbiya was not impaired when he hit and killed Strattard.

Strattard, the co-owner of Birchwood Brewing, was a mother to several children and had been enjoying her life as a grandmother, according to her obituary. She had recently celebrated her 64th birthday on August 8.

“In 2019, she proudly opened Birchwood Brewing alongside her son, Andrew Sanborn, and her dear friend, Wesley Hewey. The brewery quickly grew into a cherished gathering place where Stacy’s warmth and spirit can always be felt,” Stratttard’s obituary states:

Stacy had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcome. With her radiant smile and open arms, she greeted friends and strangers alike as though they were family. She found joy in the simple pleasures—tending her gardens, floating in her pool, and spending time outdoors with her faithful companion, Blanche. Her love for growing things reflected her nurturing nature, and her greatest pride was always her family, whom she loved fiercely and unconditionally.

Stacy’s legacy lives on through her children Rachael, Michelle (Jason), Kate (Steve), Jodie, Mylan (Dan), and Andrew; her beloved grandchildren Dylan, Jacob, Jason, Levi, Rowen, Evelyn, Ellie, Hannah, and Bennett; and most especially Blanche. She is also survived by her mother, Jean Wilbur-Pulsifer; her brother, Stephen (Brenda); her sister, Beth; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, the Birchwood team and their families, and countless dear friends.

birchwood_brewing

3d
It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating loss of our beloved friend and co-owner Stacy, who was taken from us far too soon on Saturday night. Stacy had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. If you ever came into the brewery chances are you were greeted by her warm smile and kind spirit. She truly loved what she did and loved the community that grew around her. Birchwood will never be the same without her, but we will keep her spirit alive in everything we do here. Please keep her family in your thoughts as they navigate through this heartbreaking time. We ask for your patience here at the brewery as we try to push through as she would want us to do. We will reopen Wednesday, August 20 at 11am. Please come in for a beverage or come by for a hug♥️

mainebrewers

2d
The Maine brewing community is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, Birchwood Brewing co-founder Stacy Strattard. We extend our sincerest condolences to her friends and family as they navigate this unfathomably heartbreaking time.

All members of the beer and local community are encouraged to join the @birchwood_brewing team when they reopen Wednesday, August 20th at 11a to share hugs, pints, and fond memories of this remarkable person-- her generosity, kindness, and warmth were utterly unique and will be truly missed.

On Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials revealed that Mbiya first entered the United States on a B-2 tourist visa on Dec. 23, 2018. He was supposed to depart for his native Angola by June 22, 2019, but never did.

ICE agents took Mbiya into custody as a visa overstay on August 18.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has long estimated that about half of the nation’s 11 to 22 million illegal aliens—who have no right to be in the United States—are visa overstays who have failed to be deported by federal immigration agents.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2...brewery-crash/