CLARK BOROUGH, Pennsylvania — A 29-year-old man from western Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged with the murder and dismemberment of a 14-year-old transgender teenager. The alleged perpetrator, DaShawn Watkins, faces serious accusations including first-degree murder after the body parts of Pauly Likens were discovered scattered around a local lake.
The investigation unfolded when Pauly Likens was reported missing on June 22, instigating a search that led to a grim discovery at Shenango River Lake. Over the course of a week, search teams recovered fragmented human remains in and around the water’s edge. An autopsy later confirmed the victim’s identity and cited severe head trauma inflicted by a sharp object as the cause of death, officially ruling it as a homicide.
Surveillance footage and digital records pointed to Watkins, showing him in the vicinity of the crime scene. Video evidence captured him exiting his residence multiple times with bags subsequently traced back to his apartment. These discoveries aligned suspiciously with the timeline of Likens’ disappearance.
Further investigations into Watkins’ apartment revealed traces of blood, confirming suspicions and solidifying his connection to the crime. Charged with aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse in addition to murder, Watkins’ legal proceedings have begun to unfold. He was denied bail at his arraignment and is set for preliminary hearings throughout July.
The community deeply mourns the lost potential of Pauly Likens, who was remembered in a moving address by Pamela Ladner, president of the LGBTQIA+ Alliance Shenpush Who spoke on behalf of the grieving family: “Instead of celebrating Pauly’s 15th birthday, we are discussing funeral plans,” she lamented. Ladner painted a portrait of Likens as a vibrant and playful youth, beloved for his pranks and caring nature.
Outrage has been voiced by local LGBTQ advocates and the victim’s family, who view the brutal killing as a targeted hate crime, although hate crime charges have not been filed. The case has reignited conversations about safety and advocacy for LGBTQ youth, highlighting ongoing societal challenges.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled to honor Likens, organized by local LGBTQ groups committed to raising awareness and fostering a safer community environment.
As the legal process against Watkins proceeds, with further court dates pending, the community stands united in grief and a call for justice, reflecting on the broader implications of such a heinous act against a member of the transgender youth community.