Pennsylvania authorities have confirmed the remains of 14-year-old Pauly Likens Jr. Investigators said the remains were dismembered and discovered on June 25 in Shenango River Lake, a reservoir in western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio.
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According to NBC News, Pauly Likens Jr. was last seen on June 23 at a public park in her hometown of Sharon, Pennsylvania, approximately 15 miles east of Youngtown, Ohio. She was reported missing two days later, the same day the unidentified remains were found nearby. The Mercer County Coroner’s Office stated the cause of death was sharp force trauma to the head. Before her disappearance, Likens was at a friend’s house and left to walk home between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. She communicated with her friend on Snapchat around 2:30 a.m.
Police arrested DaShawn Watkins,29, last week in connection with Likens’ death. He faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. Cellphone data and security video connected Watkins to Likens and the crime scene. Video footage showed Likens waiting near Budd Street Public Park, close to the reservoir where her body was found, between 3 and 3:40 p.m.
Security footage captured Watkins’ car going to and from the area near the park around the time Likens’ phone stopped communicating. Additional video from Watkins’ apartment complex on June 23 and the following day showed him struggling with a large duffel and garbage bags. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 25, and a vigil will be held for Likens on Saturday.
Shenango Valley LBGTQIA+ Alliance leader Pamela Ladner told the outlet that Likens’ family members confirmed that the teen identified as a transgender girl. Ladner added that the teen’s mother is in complete shock and urged authorities to charge Watkins with a hate crime.