‘Why did this happen?”: Community remembers local teen

SHARON, Pennsylvania (WKBN) – A local community is still looking for answers after one of their own was murdered last month.

On Monday, the LGBTQ-Plus Alliance of Shenango Valley said it’s making sure Mercer County transgender teenager Pauly Likens isn’t forgotten.

Pauly’s remains were found near Shenango Lake on June 26 and news that investigators discovered body parts began to trickle out.

“No one wanted to believe that,” said Pamela Ladner, who runs the LGBTQIA Alliance Shenango Valley. “But certainly it was in the back of our minds.”

Soon the grim reality began to sink in. The body parts belonged to the 14-year-old who had been brutally murdered.

“Aside from their (gender) identity, they were a young person and it’s always tragic to lose a young person in any manner,” said Ladner.

Ladner has been communicating with Likens family in the wake of the tragedy.

“I think they’re just trying to deal with the reality of something so horrible happening to their family member. Their child,” she said.

Police arrested DaShawn Watkins in connection to Likens’ death. A police report detailed how the teenager’s body had been dismembered and scattered in several locations around the lake. Ladner says Pauly’s mother wants to remember the teenager for who she was in the aftermath of her death.

“For her, the most important thing was that Pauly was recognized for the loving selfless person that she was. And for the hate to stop,” said Ladner. “Mom just wanted to make sure everyone knew that Pauly did identify as a transgender female. And very much so embraced that feminist side of them.”

The news of Pauly’s death has sent shockwaves through the entire community. Counselors have been made available to students at Sharon High School with many of the kids asking a similar question.

“I think the typical question that comes out is why. Why did this happen?” said Sharon High School Principal Mike Fitzgerald. “And that’s a question that really, we always say we really never may know the answer to. But instead of mourning the loss we celebrate the life.”

Meanwhile, the organization says the teen’s death is just another glaring example of why the Alliance is needed. It became an official 501C3 at the beginning of June–Pride Month.

“People don’t like to acknowledge transgender people’s identities and if we don’t continue to recognize and remember them as they were then they’re just going to get forgotten about,” said Ladner.

There will be a candlelight vigil on Saturday in remembrance of Likens and the community is encouraged to come out and support the family.

The vigil begins at 7 p.m. at 87 Stambaugh Ave. Sharon.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro posted a message of condolence on X Tuesday, saying it’s time to strengthen state laws against LGBTQ+ hate crimes.

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