Pennsylvania man arrested for murder and dismemberment of trans teen

A western Pennsylvania man has been arrested on suspicion of killing and dismembering a 14-year-old transgender girl late last month, authorities said.

Pauly Likens was last seen June 23 in a public park in Sharon, a city of 13,000 near the Ohio border. She was reported missing shortly after 2:30 p.m. on June 25, authorities said.

Later that day, police found human remains scattered near and in the Shenango River Reservoir in northwestern Pennsylvania. Additional body parts were later found in the area, local television station WFMJ reported.

Last week, the Mercer County coroner determined the human remains were those of the missing teenager, according to the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, an advocacy group for LGBTQ youth.

The Mercer County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded the cause of death was sharp force trauma to the head, WTAE reported. Her body was dismembered with “some type of cutting instrument,” officials said.

According to court documents, DaShawn Watkins was arrested on July 3 in connection with the gruesome crime.

Surveillance footage apparently shows the 29-year-old man carrying several bags out of his apartment at the time the teenager disappeared. According to a criminal complaint, blood was also found in his apartment.

Watkins is charged with premeditated murder, aggravated assault, attempted infliction of great bodily harm or infliction of bodily harm with utter indifference, desecration of a corpse, and tampering with/falsifying evidence.

Pauly’s mother and aunt asked for privacy during this painful time, but in a statement shared by a local LGBTQ rights leader, they described the teenager as “loving, fun-loving and selfless.”

“Everyone she met was touched by her mere existence,” said Pamela Ladner, president of the Shenango Valley LGBTQIA+ Alliance. “She loved the outdoors, getting her nails done and shopping.”

On Monday, the Sharon City School District made counselors available for anyone who wanted to talk about “the loss of our student, Pauly Likens.” A candlelight vigil in honor of the teenager is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Alliance office at 87 Stambaugh Ave. in Sharon.

Watkins is being held without bail in the Mercer County Jail. His next preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 17.