Remains Of Transgender Teen Pauly Likens Found in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania

Transgender 14-year old Pauly Likens has been found dead in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. Police have arrested 29-year old DaShawn Watkins in relation to the discovery. He is being charged with aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Reported missing on June 24, police found Likens’ remains less than 24 hours later near the Golden Run Wildlife Area.

Police say Watkins met Likens on June 23 before killing her and using a saw to dismember her body. Security cameras showed Watkins leaving his house on June 24 with garbage bags, which police believe contained Likens’ remains. Cell phone records, social media, and surveillance video all link Watkins to the crime. Police found traces of Likens’ blood and remains in Watkins’s apartment.

According to reporting by NBC News, when questioned, Watkins told investigators he had sex with an individual matching Likens’ description that he met on Grindr the morning she disappeared. However, Watkins denied the individual went with him to his residence.

Last seen at a friend’s house, Likens left to walk home between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., according to a criminal complaint shared with NBC News. That friend told authorities that Likens communicated with her on Snapchat a few hours later, around 2:30 a.m.

Despite the severity of the attack, Pennsylvania State Police have not charged Watkins with a hate crime. Mercer County District Attorney and detectives believe the case does not fall into that category because Likens was transgender and Watkins is gay. Prosecutors sometimes avoid pursuing hate crime charges if they believe the charges will be too difficult to prove. Hate crime charges are often proven by hateful statements made to the victim by the accused.

The Human Rights Campaign reported that Pauly’s death marks at least the 19th violent killing of a transgender or gender-expansive person, and at least the fourth killing of a trans or gender-expansive teenager, in 2024.

Pauly’s aunt, Liz Morsillo, expressed her grief telling WPXI: “Only an absolute monster could do something like that to anyone, let alone a child.”

Likens “was a selfless, loving child who loved nature, getting her nails done, and shopping,” Pamela Ladner, president of LGBTQIA+ Alliance of Shenango Valley, told CNN. “She aspired to be a park ranger like her Aunt Liz,” Ladner said. “Our community is mourning with Pauly’s family at this tragic loss of young life. We are hoping justice is served.”

A GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign was created for Likens’ funeral, stating, “Pauly was taken from us far too soon due to a senseless act of violence. They were a bright and loving individual, cherished by all who knew them. Their life was filled with promise and potential, and their untimely passing has left a void that can never be filled.” The campaign raised $3,593 before being disabled.

A vigil in memory of Pauly Likens was planned in Sharon, Pennsylvania. An obituary for Likens noted, “Pauly lit up every room she entered, always making people smile and passing around her contagious laughter.”