The Murder of Maxine Bitomski: Arrest Made in Kittery, Maine Cold Case — Murder, She Told: Maine & New England True Crime

On a cold night in January 1993, an intruder broke into the home of 73-year-old Maxine Bitomski, killing the beloved widow in the quiet coastal town of Kittery, Maine. The following day, Maxine's grandson stopped by for a visit and made the heartbreaking discovery: she had been murdered.

For decades, investigators revealed very little about the case, leaving the community to wonder why anyone would target the elderly woman.

But behind the scenes, police say they had a suspect from the very beginning.

In June 2026, Maine State Police arrested 59-year-old Daniel Jolly of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Jolly was 25 years old at the time of the killing and supplied oxygen equipment to Maxine through his job.

Now, after more than three decades of unanswered questions, the case has entered a new chapter. For the first time, investigators have revealed key details about the evidence—and why they believe Daniel Jolly is responsible for Maxine Bitomski's murder.

The work is not done: If you have any information on the murder of Maxine Bitomski, now is the time to come forward. Please contact the Maine State Police at (207) 624-7076 x9.
Check back soon for blog post.

Continue Maxine’s story: Listen to the podcast episode. This text has been adapted from the Murder, She Told podcast episode, The Murder of Maxine Bitomski.To hear Maxine’s full story, find Murder, She Told on your favorite podcast platform or listen on the player at the top of the page.

Click here to support Murder, She Told.

Connect with Murder, She Told on:

Instagram: @murdershetoldpodcast

Facebook: /mstpodcast

TikTok: @murdershetold

Maxine’s home at 3 Colonial Rd, Kittery, ME (Portland Press Herald)

Daniel Jolly with his attorneys, bail hearing (seacoastonline.com)

Sources For This Episode

Mentioned in this episode:

Reeves Johnson: Inside the Investigation

Missing: Where is Reeves Johnson?

The Unsolved Murder of Susan Hannah

Newspaper articles

Various articles from Bangor Daily News, Foster's Daily Democrat , Maine Sunday Telegram, New Hampshire Union Leader, Portland Press Herald, Portsmouth Herald, and York County Coast Star, here.

Written by various authors including Alan Clendenning, Amy Wallace, Dennis Hoey, Ian Lenahan, Jeff Ward, Jill Higgins, Jody Record, Larry Favinger, Lars Trodson, Michael Keating, Nick Sambides, Renee Ordway, and Susan Gadberry.

Official documents

Various genealogical records relating to Maxine Bitomski

Docket record, State vs. Daniel Jolly, York County Superior Court

Photos

Photos as credited above

Online written sources

'Who killed Maxine Bitomski' (WGME CBS 13), 1/20/2022

'New developments in 29-year-old' (News Center Maine), 1/20/2022, by Roslyn Flaherty

''Stronger suspect.' State Police tout progress' (Seacoast Online), http://seacoastonline.com 1/20/2022, by Ian Lenahan

'Police Name Suspect in 1993 …' (NECN), 1/20/2022, by Dustin Wlodkowski

'Reward of $10,000 offered for help…' (Press Herald), 2/1/2022, by Dennis Hoey

'Reward offered in Maine cold case murder' (WMTW ABC 8), 2/2/2022