Matthew Cushing, of Old Orchard Beach, was sentenced to life in prison today for the murders of his mother, stepfather and teenage half-brother.
In February, Cushing pled guilty to three counts of murder and one count of arson. He also received 20 years for the arson charge.
According to his plea, Cushing’s fear that his family was breaking apart was the motivation for the murders. He felt his mother and stepfather, Carol and Chris Bolduc, both 42, (1984 Lincoln Academy graduates) were going to get a divorce and that his stepfather had not treated his brother Josh Bolduc nicely.
In February 2008, Cushing confronted his brother and mother. When they did not agree with him, arguments ensued that resulted with Cushing stabbing his brother and mother to death.
When his stepfather showed up later, Cushing stunned him with a stun gun and stabbed him. Friends of the Bolducs said the couple confided to them the marriage was breaking apart.
A witness interviewed by police said Chris Bolduc was leaving his wife to come live with him in a homosexual relationship in South Carolina. Investigators say they learned Bolduc had been in homosexual relationships before.
Cushing’s father, Paul Cushing, along with numerous other relations, resides in Lincoln County.