Late Skowhegan town manager was under investigation for sexual exploitation, police say

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - According to information released by Maine State Police Wednesday, Nicholas Nadeau, who is now deceased, was under investigation for sexual exploitation of a minor.

Nadeau, 32, of Winslow was the town manager for Skowhegan. Town officials announced his death over the weekend. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner told WABI Wednesday it appears that Nadeau died by suicide.

The investigation stemmed from a reporter the State Police Special Victims Unit received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The NCMEC received a tip from a 14-year-old girl in Florida who reported inappropriate online communication with an adult male. The investigation was reportedly in the preliminary stages when Nadeau died.

According to court records, a man told the girl on a social media platform he wanted to have sex with her, even though she told him she was 14, and also sent her explicit images of himself, saying he had a history of romantic relationships with underage children.

The court records say although the girl did not know Nadeau’s name, one image he sent was a screen shot of himself on WABI, saying he made the news again.

The records say she used that photo to search the WABI website to find out Nadeau’s name.

She then contacted the center for exploited children.

The court documents say electronic devices seized from Nadeau’s home in a search earlier this month showed sexually explicit material involving minors.

State Police say the investigation will not continue and no charges will be filed in wake of Nadeau’s passing. Resources will instead be used to focus on other active cases.

Last night, the town of Skowhegan appointed an interim town manager. The town announced on their Facebook page Wednesday afternoon the Donald Zaluski, the superintendent of the Water Control and Pollution Plant has been selected for the position. The town says Zaluski will handle day-to-day business as the search for a permanent town manager continues.

Zaluski issued a statement Wednesday afternoon on the report.

The town is aware that the loss of our former Manager comes under difficult and complex circumstances, which the Selectboard only learned about around the time of Nick’s death. On the day Nick passed away, Selectboard members first learned of state and federal investigations into what appeared to be conduct unrelated to Nick’s work for the Town of Skowhegan. Nick was not the subject of any investigation by the Skowhegan Police Department or the town at the time of his death. The town will participate in any ongoing investigation as requested and is committed to accountability, safety, and respect for all members of our community. Any questions related to these investigations should be directed to the applicable state or federal agencies.

Nadeau was hired as Skowhegan’s town manager in May 2025 after he served as Blue Hill’s town administrator. He previously served as interim town manager for his hometown of Fairfax, Vermont.

Police encouraged anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a similar incident to report it to their local law enforcement agency or through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

If you or someone you know are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 888-568-1112. To call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org .

You can also reach help by calling the NAMI Maine Help Line at 800-464-5767 or email helpline@namimaine.org.