PA Man Killed, Dismembered 14-Year-Old Boy: Police

MERCER COUNTY, PA — A man has been charged with killing and dismembering a 14-year-old boy who was reported missing last month, Pennsylvania State Police said on Wednesday.

DaShawn Watkins, 29, is accused of killing Paul A. Likens Jr. of Sharon, who had been missing since June 23.

According to police, human remains were found around Shenango Lake on June 25 and additional remains were discovered in various locations in the following days. The Mercer County Coroner's Office said the cause of the teen's death was sharp force trauma to the head and the ruled the manner of death a homicide.

"Evaluation by a forensic pathologist indicates that the victim was dismembered by some type of cutting instrument," the news release stated.

Investigators examined Likens' phone and social media records, as well as video surveillance cameras. They determined that the teen went to the Budd Street Public Park and Canoe Launch in Sharon, about 75 miles north of Pittsburgh, at about 3 a.m. on June 23 and appeared to be waiting for someone.

According to police, video surveillance located a vehicle in that area and tracked it back to Riverwalk Apartments where Watkins lives. Watkins allegedly made several trips out of his apartment with multiple duffel and garbage bags, police said.

Blood also was discovered in Watkins' apartment, according to police.

Watkins has been charged with murder of the first degree, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence. He is being held without bail in the Mercer County Jail.

Watkins faces a preliminary hearing on July 17.