Losses Shake Close-Knit Community

Nick Bagley

By Lee Burnett

The deaths of five unhoused neighbors within an 11-day span has plunged Sanford’s unhoused community into grief and despair.

Between May 4 and May 15, three people died from drug overdoses, one died from complications from other medical conditions, and a fifth person died when he was hit by a car while riding a bicycle after dark. Sanford’s unhoused population is estimated to be about 50 people.

“It’s been rough. You don’t want to believe it at first,” Bri Mayer said while eating a free hot meal at St. George Episcopal Church on Wednesday. She and her husband Donnie Mayer said the multiple shocks of losing so many friends has drawn the community even closer.

“We check on each other all the time. ‘Are you all right?’ We make sure no one’s alone. We make sure everyone has Narcan on them.”

At another table, Kristin Adams, Stephanie Dumont and others were reflecting on their losses.

“We’re all so worried. We almost can’t leave each other alone,” said Dumont. “When my phone rings, I’m scared it might be a family member.” Others said they are startled by the sight of trash in the woods for fear it might be a body.

St. George Episcopal Church has become a place of solace for Sanford’s unhoused community. The church hosts a free hot meal every Wednesday served by It Takes A Village 207. On May 14, the church hosted a combined memorial service for Elizabeth Parslow, 33, Will Valley, 32, and Nick Bagley, 31. ITAV brought in flowers, candles, posters, special foods and a slide show. Rev Tim Higgins, who has provided grief counselling for unhoused neighbors and his own congregation, said he has been impressed with how “this little community is developing their own support system.” He said his own congregation was traumatized by the recent deaths and he can’t imagine what it is like for unhoused neighbors themselves.

“It’s got to be so scary,” Higgins said. “Life is so tenuous.”

Police have not identified a common denominator in the overdose deaths. Maj Mark Dyer said investigators are awaiting toxicology reports on the kind of drugs involved. The car-bicycle accident that took the life of Richard Marks, 46, is under investigation.

The deaths come on the heels of another shock to the community. The sudden closure of the emergency shelter in Alfred on May 9 brought not only more homeless people to Sanford, but a mood of fatalism, according to Becky Jackson of It Takes a Village 207. She said the eviction for financial reasons of sober people receiving treatment made others feel like their own needs were even more invisible. As one unhoused man observed to Jackson: “If people won’t help the people who are clean and living at the shelter, then there’s no hope for us.”

Since the city closed a large tent encampment on Heritage Crossing in June 2024, Sanford’s unhoused community has lived nomadically in less visible cars, tents or abandoned buildings. With warmer weather of late, more people were living outdoors, and that brought enforcement actions by police. Camping is not allowed on public property, and many private landowners have standing orders for police to roust tenters. “It’s like a cat and mouse game,” said Jackson. Maj. Dyer disputed the characterization but confirmed that the issuance of warnings, citations and summons jumped from two in February to six in March and 17 in April.

Police and mental health workers insist that rehab programs and permanent housing are available to those who seek it and are patient, although they also acknowledge how difficult it is for people struggling with mental illness or substance use disorder to see it that way. Police have resorted to giving advice that sounds fatalistic: If you’re shooting up, be sure to be near a friend carrying Narcan, the nasal spray that can reverse an opioid seizure.

“Best thing to do is not use alone. Have a buddy with you,” said Dyer.

The first shocking news was the death May 4 of Bagley, 31, who had been in a rehab program in Manchester, NH, just a month earlier when he wrote on his Facebook page that he was proud to be sober, attending classes at Southern New Hampshire University and leading peer support meetings. “Hey, from the bottom of my heart I love you and thank you for all you did for me and for everything you do for everyone else truly,” Bagley wrote April 4. He later moved to Wells to live with his mother but was found dead on May 4. The next day came word of the death of Liz Parslow at Portsmouth Regional Hospital from medical complications. Then came news of the overdose deaths of Will Valley on May 10 and Dawn Haffey, 52, on May 11.

Richard Marks died after dark May 15 when the bicycle he was riding from Gerrish Drive onto Main Street opposite Bowl-A-Rama was hit by a northbound car. It was just hours after Marks had attended the service for Bagley, Valley and Parslow, according to Jackson. “Here I was, consoling him. He was crying on my shoulder and four hours later he was dead,” said Jackson.

On the ITAV207 Facebook page, Jackson posted grim updates for nearly two weeks straight. Finally, on May 15, she posted photos of hummingbirds. “We try to be strong, but honestly, it feels like we’re going to break. So, let’s take a few minutes away from the sadness, confusion, shock, and just post some happy stuff.”

We interviewed family and friends of each person we’ve lost. Here’s what we learned:

Nick Bagley, 31, and his family are from Wells, but his son and other children live in Sanford. He worked in construction but dreamed about becoming a rap artist. One of his greatest joys was riding his motorcycle. His friends describe him as very caring, supportive and passionate. He was always there ready to help. Nick was the life of the party who enjoyed entertaining his family and friends. He particularly valued spending time with his family. Nick was the kind of person who threw himself into life. Sadly, he was not able to win his battle with drug and alcohol addiction. – Barbara Sutcliffe

Liz Parslow, 33, was a positive, dynamic person who put her heart and soul into everything she did, according to her mother. She was an honors student, a talented musician with a beautiful voice, played four instruments, danced and was also artistic. Her friends loved her, and in return she protected them and advocated for them. Liz held very strong beliefs; she was both passionate and compassionate. There was nothing that was halfway or half-hearted about Liz. Though her life was brief, it was filled with creativity, beauty and connection. “Liz was a very strong and brave young woman who faced a lot of battles,” said Becky Jackson of It Takes a Village 207. “We will miss her beautiful face and the world will miss her angelic voice. “– Barbara Sutcliffe

Dawn Haffey, 52, was a mother who cared for her five children, four daughters and one son, as a stay at home mom. Two children had autism and needed a great deal of attention. An accident earlier in her adult life caused chronic neck pain and efforts to relieve her pain, through the years, were less than helpful. She was a very good cook and when she had time enjoyed drawing and painting. Motherhood was her calling and although in later years her struggle with chemical dependency proved more than challenging, she never stopped trying to overcome that dependency. She leaves behind her five children, three siblings, some close friends and a community that knew and loved her. “Dawn was a great mother, had a loving heart, and would never ask for anything. She will be missed by many,” said Becky Jackson of It Takes a Village 207. “Her love for her children was unconditional and a memory they will always have of their mother.” – Rev. Susan Murphy

William “Will” Valley, 32, grew up in Sanford with a sister and brother. His fathered died when he was a child. When he was young, he enjoyed building tricycles with his brother and as an adult he enjoyed repairing and riding bicycles. He and his friend David Hilton enjoyed walking in nature and making walking sticks. “He loved nature,” said Becky Jackson of It Takes a Village 207. Valley’s mother “his favorite” person died in 2022, she said. Valley enjoyed amusing people with witticisms and puns. His favorite snacks were cosmic brownies and Slim Jims.

“Losing Will will always leave an empty space in our hearts. We will miss his compassion along with his witty jokes and all his fun facts,” Jackson said. – Lee Burnett

Few people called Richard Marks by his real name. To most of his friends and acquaintances in town, he was Festa, a nickname he picked up in prison. Longtime friend Kristin Adams said Marks spent most of his young adulthood behind bars, originally because of crimes like robbery and later for probation violations. He tried to turn things around, she said. But whenever he applied for a job or looked for a place to stay, his record seemed to follow him, “and he hit a brick wall every time.” That would send him back to living on the streets and to using drugs or alcohol. At the time of his death, “he was actually getting sober,” Adams said. Marks was known as a talented artist and as a guy who looked out for his friends, particularly young women. “He was a solid person,” Adams said. “He had your back no matter what.” Becky Jackson, of It Takes a Village 207, added: “We will miss the compliments always given by Richard, and the way he loved his friends and family with his whole heart.” – Gail Burnett