Dismembered remains found in Shenango River reservoir identified

Dismembered remains found at Shenango River Reservoir identified as missing Sharon teen; suspect arrested

The Mercer County coroner has identified remains found in the Golden Run Wildlife Area as those of a missing Sharon juvenile.

According to the release, Paul “Pauly” Likens, Jr., 14, was identified through forensic comparison and evaluation during recovery efforts.

Based on the forensic autopsy and studies conducted, the cause of death was determined to be head trauma with a stab wound and was ruled a homicide.

The Sharon Police Department received the report of Likens' disappearance on June 25 at 2:31 p.m. That same day, Hermitage police went to the Shenango River Reservoir in the Clark neighborhood. Officers found dismembered human remains in and near the water.

Over the next week, dismembered human remains were discovered in the area surrounding the Shenango River Reservoir. A medical examiner's assessment indicated that the victim had been dismembered using a sharp instrument.

DaShawn Watkins, 29, was arrested in connection with Likens' murder and is being held in the Mercer County Jail without bail. He is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault with attempted serious bodily injury with extreme indifference, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.

Background

The last known contact with Likens was on June 22 between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., according to the release. According to the criminal complaint, Likens' father last spoke with the victim that night, who said he was spending the night at a friend's house.

Likens' father and other family members have had no contact with the victim since the early hours of June 23. The complaint says Likens had never done anything like this before.

A minor friend of Likens was interviewed on June 26. According to the complaint, she said Likens was at her home on June 22 until approximately 9:30 p.m., when the victim left to walk home. The friend said Likens posted a photo on Snapchat around 2:30 a.m. and made a statement alluding to a late-night walk to clear her head.

The friend said she texted back to ask if Likens was okay. Likens responded once saying he was fine and then didn't respond again despite her attempts.

Information from Likens’ cell phone provider, social media records and surveillance video show that Likens walked to the area of ​​Budd Street Public Park and the canoe launch and remained there for a period of time on June 23 between 3 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. The victim’s cell phone data indicated that Likens’ cell phone had been off since approximately 3:40 a.m. on June 23.

Video taken at a business and home near the scene shows a person matching Likens' description walking down Dock Street and then Budd Street while using a cellphone. The criminal complaint states the individual was walking slowly and stopping frequently as if waiting for or trying to meet someone. No other people were seen on foot in the area at the time.

Police said that while Likens was in the canoe launch area, video surveillance from nearby locations was used to identify a suspect vehicle that drove to the Riverwalk Apartments.

Video footage from the Riverwalk Apartments shows an individual, later identified as Watkins, leaving and returning to the apartment corresponding to the suspect vehicle.

According to the statement, Watkins returned to the apartment and struggled to carry a large duffel bag. The criminal complaint states that suspected blood was found along Watkins' entry route into the apartment. On June 24, Watkins left his apartment several times, carrying trash bags and other bags.

Watkins was arrested on July 2 around 7:15 p.m. Officers said Watkins had a large cut on his hand that required stitches and appeared to be healing.

Sharon police interviewed Watkins, who allegedly told investigators he met a person on the Grindr app and arranged to meet. The complaint states Watkins said he had sexual contact with the person at a location on E Broadway Avenue. When police interviewed him, he initially denied meeting the person at the Canoe Launch, but later claimed his car may have stopped in the area.

Search warrants were executed on July 2, and preliminary tests revealed blood in several locations in Watkins' apartment, including under the bathroom floor.

A receipt dated June 23 was also found at the apartment, showing the purchase of a saw with interchangeable blades. The saw was found at the scene with one blade missing.