Clark Borough, PA – A 29-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing and dismembering a 14-year-old girl who had been missing since late June. DaShawn Watkins was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in the death of Pauly A. Likens, Jr., according to records.
On June 25, officers from the Hermitage Police Department responded to a call regarding possible human remains in Shengano River Lake, approximately 75 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. Upon arrival, first responders recovered partially submerged human remains. Local police then requested the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), which took over the investigation.
On July 3, Mercer County Coroner John A. Libonati confirmed that the remains belonged to Pauly. A forensic pathologist determined that the manner of death was homicide, with the cause being sharp force trauma to the head. Evidence also indicated that Pauly was dismembered with a cutting instrument.