Murder suspect held without bail Canaan man appears in court on charges he killed 2 women

SKOWHEGAN – A man accused of killing two Canaan women in 2006 made his initial appearance in Somerset County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Shannon Atwood, 37, faces two counts of murder. He is accused of killing Cheryl Murdoch, 37, and his estranged wife, Shirley Moon Atwood, 36, sometime last summer when he shared a Canaan home, at separate times, with both women. The home, on Route 23, was owned by Moon Atwood.

Police first were called when Murdoch’s family reported her missing in late July. During the course of that investigation, it was discovered that Moon Atwood had not been seen since the spring of 2006.

Murdoch’s body was found Aug. 11 in woods nearby the Canaan home. In the five months since, Moon Atwood’s body has not been found and police have released no details of either murder, including how Murdoch was killed or why they believe Moon Atwood is dead.

The affidavit that led to Atwood’s arrest on Tuesday was impounded by the court.

Atwood was ordered by Justice Clayton Laverdiere to be held without bail pending a possible Harnish hearing to determine whether Atwood should be release on bail in the future.

The courtroom was filled with friends and family, but most of the attention was on the two women in the front row who held hands throughout the five-minute hearing as they leaned against each other for support.

One woman was Murdoch’s sister, Cindy Hoxie, who cried quietly throughout the hearing and, through sobs, told reporters on the courtroom steps afterward that her sister was “a good mother, a good daughter and a good sister. She was my best friend. Her daughter has no mother. I have no sister. Memories … I have nothing more.”

Hoxie read a short letter from Murdoch’s parents, Dick and Lucie Hoxie of Arizona, who said that although they could not attend the court proceeding, they would be following the case carefully.

The second woman in the courtroom was Jennifer Nickerson of Skowhegan, who was assaulted by Atwood in 1993. Atwood was convicted of aggravated assault against Nickerson, who was then his girlfriend.

Nickerson also promised to follow Atwood’s case.

“Women are not disposable. I am going to see this through. I will make every court appearance,” said Nickerson.

In previous police interviews, Nickerson said she believes that Atwood meant to kill her after she asked him to move out. She said on the day that Atwood was supposed to leave, Atwood began wrestling with her in a manner that began as playful but quickly turned violent.

“I knew I was in trouble,” she said.

Atwood slammed her head on the floor twice and then put his hands around her throat, choking her, she said. He removed his hands when she became unresponsive. Regaining consciousness, Nickerson said she was driven to an empty field where Atwood talked about disposing of her body and she pleaded for her life. Atwood eventually brought Nickerson to his sister’s home.

Nickerson said that after she was assaulted, she learned that Atwood had called her employment and told them she had quit, canceled her car insurance and arranged for day care for her infant son.

Nickerson said she has lived in fear of Atwood for 13 years.

During the hearing, Atwood was represented by attorneys John Alsop and Arnold Clark of Norridgewock. Atwood answered clearly that he understood that he was charged with two counts of murder and that each could carry a life sentence in prison.

Atwood has been serving a nine-month sentence for terrorizing related to the police investigation of Murdoch’s killing and Moon Atwood’s disappearance last summer. Atwood was scheduled to be released from jail this week and was arrested in his jail cell Tuesday.

Even though Moon Atwood’s remains have not been found, state police detectives said earlier this week they were confident that she is dead.

Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson said Tuesday that there is “compelling evidence” to prove that Moon Atwood is dead and that the state will be able to convict Atwood without his estranged wife’s body.