A Pennsylvania man accused of murdering and dismembering a 14-year-old transgender girl, Pauly A. Likens, is set to face trial after being arraigned in court on Tuesday.
DaShawn Watkins, 29, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence.
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The Incident
Pauly Likens, a lively teenager described as a nature lover with a passion for fashion, was last seen alive on June 23, 2024. According to authorities, Likens had arranged to meet Watkins through the dating app Grindr, a platform she had reportedly used to connect with him before her death.
On the night of her disappearance, Likens posted a photo of a deserted road on her social media, mentioning that she was out for a late-night walk to clear her mind. The last known communication from Likens was a message to a friend confirming that she was safe.
Surveillance footage from a canoe launch at the Shenango River Reservoir captured a person believed to be Likens pacing anxiously and checking her phone, apparently waiting for someone to arrive. At around the same time, Watkins’ vehicle was seen entering and leaving the area, shortly before Likens’ phone was turned off at 3:40 a.m., the last moment she was heard from.
On June 25, authorities made a stern discovery: Likens’ remains were found dismembered and scattered in the Shenango River Reservoir. The remains were recovered alongside a power saw, later confirmed to have been purchased by Watkins on the day of the murder. Investigators also noted that Watkins was caught on surveillance footage struggling to carry a large duffel bag into his residence, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
Police believe that Watkins dismembered Likens’ body in his apartment, using the power saw he purchased, and then disposed of the body parts in the reservoir. Footage also shows Watkins making multiple trips from his apartment with smaller bags, which authorities suspect contained the dismembered remains of Likens.
The police quickly identified Watkins as the primary suspect and arrested him on July 2. At the time of his arrest, Watkins was found with a bandaged cut on his hand, which he claimed was from a work-related accident. He has since been held without bail and is awaiting trial.
Watkins has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. The most serious charge, first-degree murder, reflects the premeditated nature of the crime, with evidence suggesting that Watkins had meticulously planned the attack. He is also facing charges of involuntary deviant sexual intercourse involving a person under the age of 16.
During his arraignment, Watkins maintained his innocence, denying critical aspects of the police’s case. He admitted to meeting someone resembling Likens through Grindr but denied stopping at the canoe launch, claiming he only drove past it. He also stated that the cut on his hand was unrelated to the crime but occurred while searching for reptiles at work.
However, the overwhelming physical evidence, including traces of blood found in his apartment, surveillance footage, and the discovery of the power saw, makes his defence challenging to uphold.
Mercer County District Attorney Peter C. Acker, who has overseen numerous homicide cases in his 46-year career, described the crime as one of the worst he has ever encountered. “We’ve had dismemberment cases before, but this is especially bad. I hope I never see another one of these,” he told reporters.
No date has yet been set for Watkins’ trial, but prosecutors are expected to push for a swift and thorough prosecution, citing the brutal nature of the crime and the overwhelming evidence against Watkins.
Local organizations, including the LGBTQIA+ Alliance Shenango Valley, have expressed their sorrow over the tragic loss of Likens. The alliance’s president, Pamela Ladner, described Pauly as a “selfless, loving child who loved nature, getting her nails done, and shopping.” Likens had reportedly aspired to become a park ranger, following in her aunt’s footsteps.
The community has come together to honour Likens’ memory, with a vigil scheduled on Friday in her hometown. The vigil is expected to draw a large crowd as local leaders, activists, and residents come together to mourn the loss of a young life cut tragically short. Sharon City Council member Taylor Galaska expressed her deep sadness over the murder, calling it “deeply troubling and incredibly heartbreaking.”
“I think I can speak for everyone when I say that our community is outraged by the murder,” Galaska said. “This senseless act of violence underscores the urgent need for greater acceptance, understanding, and protection of all people, no matter how different they may be from you.”
According to advocacy groups, Likens is the 18th transgender person to be killed by violence in the U.S. this year alone, a statistic that underlines the constant danger faced by LGBTQIA+ communities, particularly transgender individuals.
A GoFundMe page to help cover her funeral expenses has already surpassed its $15,000 goal, raising more than $27,000 in donations. The donations reflect the overwhelming support from the community for the Likens family.
In the words of Pamela Ladner, “Our community is mourning with Pauly’s family at this tragic loss of young life. We are hoping justice is served.”
