Remains found in lake ID'd as missing Sharon teen; man charged with murder

SHARON — The human remains discovered last week at Shenango River Lake have been identified as those of a missing Sharon teenager, and a Sharon man is in jail charged with first-degree murder for the teen’s death.

In a press release, Mercer County Coroner John Libonati said the remains belonged to 14-year-old Pauly A. Likens Jr. Likens was identified through forensic comparison and evaluation of the remains.

Likens’ family was notified Wednesday by the Pennsylvania State Police and the coroner’s office.

Based on the forensic autopsy and studies performed, Likens’ cause of death was determined to be sharp force trauma to the head in a manner that was ruled homicide.

Likens was reported missing to the Sharon Police Department at about 2:30 p.m. June 25. Later that evening, the Hermitage Police Department responded to a report of dismembered human remains being found near the Golden Run Wildlife Area at the lake, near Clark.

The investigation was referred to the state police. Over the course of the next week, more dismembered human remains were discovered in multiple areas surrounding the lake, according to a press release from the state police barracks in Mercer.

The state police were also seen using an underwater drone to search the Shenango River near the Budd Street bridge in downtown Sharon on June 27.

Evaluation and analysis of the remains by the coroner’s office confirmed these remains belonged to Likens. A forensic pathologist also determined the victim was dismembered by some type of cutting instrument.

Information from Likens’ cellular provider, social media records and multiple surveillance videos determined Likens walked to the area of the River Gardens Park and the Budd Street canoe launch, near Budd Street and U.S. Route 62 in Sharon, and remained there for some time between 3 and 3:40 a.m. June 23.

Likens appeared to be on the phone and waiting to meet someone near the canoe launch area along the Shenango River.

During the time Likens was in the area, multiple surveillance videos from nearby locations identified a suspect vehicle that returned to the nearby Riverwalk Apartments.

The video footage showed an individual, later identified as DaShawn Watkins, 29, of Sharon, leaving and then returning to his apartment, consistent with the vehicle’s movements.

Upon his return, Watkins was seen struggling to carry a large duffel bag. On June 24, Watkins then made several trips out of his apartment, carrying multiple bags and garbage bags.

Positive preliminary tests for blood were discovered at multiple locations in Watkins’ apartment, including under the bathroom flooring, the release states.

Watkins was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence, according to court documents.

Watkins was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Travis P. Martwinski, Sharon. He will return to court for his preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. July 17 before Martwinski.

Watkins is being held without bail in Mercer County Jail.

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