Man charged with killing, dismembering missing 14-year-old in Mercer County

MERCER COUNTY, Pa. — A man is accused of killing and dismembering a missing 14-year-old after human remains were found in a Mercer County lake at the end of June.

In a news release, Pennsylvania State Police says dismembered human remains were found partially in the water of Shenango Lake on June 25. More dismembered remains were found in Shenango Lake and “various” remote locations over the next week, and the coroner determined they all belonged to the same person.

The victim has been identified as Paul “Pauly” Likens Jr., 14.

Pauly had been missing since the early morning hours of June 23. Now, Pauly’s family is planning a funeral just days before what would have been her 15th birthday.

The Mercer County Coroner’s Office ruled the cause of death as sharp force trauma to the head and the manner of death as homicide. DaShawn Watkins, 29, is charged in the murder.

“Only an absolute monster could do something like that to anyone, let alone a child,” said Pauly’s aunt, Liz Morsillo.

According to State Police, Pauly and Watkins met early in the morning on June 23 at the canoe launch along the Shenango River by Budd Street in the City of Sharon, after meeting on a dating app.

While looking into phone records, social media records and surveillance video, police learned the teen walked to Budd Street Public Park and Canoe Launch on June 23 around 3 a.m. Pauly appeared to be on the phone and waiting to meet someone.

Police also used video footage when Pauly was at the launch area to develop a suspect vehicle, which they say returned to Riverwalk Apartments.

Riverwalk Apartments surveillance video showed a man, identified as Watkins, leaving and returning to his apartment in a way that police say is consistent with the suspect vehicle movement. When the man returns, he is struggling to carry a duffle bag. The video also showed Watkins leave his apartment several times on June 24 carrying “multiple bags and garbage bags.”

According to court documents, Watkins claimed the bag he was carrying was luggage from a vacation that he had left in his car.

State police say preliminary tests were positive for blood in Watkin’s apartment, including under the bathroom floor lining.

“I hope he gets what he deserves,” Morsillo said.

Watkins is facing several charges, including first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. He’s being held in the Mercer County Jail without bail.

Pauly’s family is raising money for funeral costs. Click here to donate.

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