'It's a loss for the entire community': LGBTQ advocates mourn killing, dismemberment of Mercer County teen

As authorities work to recover the remains of a transgender Mercer County teen and determine the circumstances that led up to her death, Shenango Valley residents are banding together to support the family.

Pauly Likens, 14, was found dismembered Wednesday on the shore of Shenango River Lake in Clark.

Pam Ladner, president of LGBTQIA+ Alliance Shenango Valley, said she spoke Thursday with Likens’ mother, who told her that Likens was a transgender female who used she/her pronouns.

The group is planning a vigil that will be held at 7 p.m. July 13 at 87 Stambaugh Ave. in Sharon.

Likens’ mother gave the organization permission to hold the vigil, Ladner said. Likens’ parents declined to comment to TribLive.

Taylor Galaska, a councilman on Sharon City Council, said in a statement that he was particularly saddened by Likens’ death as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community himself.

“It is deeply troubling and incredibly heartbreaking. A situation that may seem like something nightmares are made of, has become a reality in our own community,” he said. “Pauly’s life was taken far too soon, a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. 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.”

The community stands united in the face of the homicide, Galaska said.

“I think I can speak for everyone when I say that our community is outraged by the murder. I have full faith in local and state investigators and the legal system that a thorough investigation and prosecution of this senseless, heinous act will occur,” said Galaska. “My thoughts are with Pauly’s loved ones, and we must work together to ensure safety and equality for all.”

Sharon man charged

Hermitage police found dismembered human remains in an area of Shenango Lake in Clark, and additional remains in the area surrounding the lake. They were confirmed by the Mercer County Coroner’s Office to be Likens’ remains, according to a criminal complaint, and Likens’ cause of death was ruled to be sharp force trauma to the head.

Mercer County District Attorney Peter Acker told TribLive on Friday that police are still looking for additional remains.

“They were still recovering body parts as late as Tuesday early evening, and we still don’t have the complete body,” Acker said.

State police charged DaShawn Watkins, 29, of Sharon, with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence in connection with Likens’ death.

Information obtained from Likens’ cellphone shows Likens walked to the Budd Street Public Park and Canoe Launch around 3 a.m. June 23, police said. Multiple surveillance videos showed Likens, who appeared to be on a cellphone and waiting for someone, according to court records.

Several of those videos were used by police to identify a vehicle in the area where Likens was.

Video showed a man later identified as Watkins going in and out of Riverwalk Apartments. In one video, he is struggling to carry a large duffel bag, according to a criminal complaint.

On June 24, video showed Watkins making several trips out of his apartment carrying a series of duffel and garbage bags. A preliminary test showed blood at multiple locations in Watkins’ apartment, including under the bathroom flooring.

Watkins is currently held without bail at the Mercer County Prison. A July 17 preliminary hearing is scheduled.

‘A loss to the entire community’

The vigil for Likens is open to the public, Ladner said. Local organizations from around the region have reached out in support.

“(There are) multifaceted and multi-area agencies that are not only contributing to getting the word out but offering to attend the vigil, extend support and help with supplies and crowd control for the vigil,” Ladner said.

According to the district website, the Sharon City School District will have school counselors available at Sharon Middle/High School on Monday, July 8, from 9 a.m. until noon for any student who would like to speak with a counselor about Likens’s death.

A fundraiser on GoFundMe was organized for Likens’ family by Amanda Benedict on behalf of Jen McClure. As of Friday afternoon, it had raised $19,447 of a $15,000 goal.

“People have been so gracious that they’ve already met the goal and beyond the goal,” Ladner said.

She encouraged people to continue to donate to support the family.

“Our role is just, because we are the LGBTQ agency (in Pauly’s community), we are just trying to support the family and help them in any capacity possible, with helping our community as a whole be able to grieve,” Ladner said. “It is truly a loss to the entire community.”