Shawn McBreairty’s lawsuits against Maine schools may continue after his death

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A new plaintiff may be added to two lawsuits brought by conservative activist Shawn McBreairty a month after his death.

Shawn McBreairty, 53, died by suicide on June 3 . He had sued Regional School Unit 22 and Brewer School Department in two separate lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Bangor.

A “suggestion of death” was filed in both lawsuits Tuesday by McBreairty’s lawyer Marc Randazza. He is saying on the record that McBreairty died. That does not mean the lawsuits are dismissed. A new plaintiff may be substituted at a later date, the filing said. A motion to substitute a new plaintiff is due by Sept. 30, court records said.

McBreairty sued board chair Heath Miller and members of the RSU 22 school committee in March 2023, alleging his right to free speech was limited.

He also sued Brewer School Department Superintendent Gregg Palmer, Brewer High School Principal Brent Slowikowski and Michelle MacDonald , an English teacher at the school, in February. It said Brewer High School students should be allowed to petition the school to reverse its transgender bathroom policy.