Grisly details emerge about killing and dismemberment of transgender Pennsylvania teenager

MERCER, Pa. (KDKA) -- Grisly details emerged about the killing and dismemberment of a transgender teenager in Mercer County during a preliminary hearing on Thursday. 

Twenty-nine-year-old Dashawn Watkins is charged with homicide in the death of 14-year-old Pauly Likens, who was reported missing and was later found dismembered around a lake in Mercer County.

"She loved everyone and to be taken away in such a disgusting manner -- justice needs to be had," said Liken's mom, Jennifer McClure.

Multiple people took the stand on Thursday, revealing several new details. 

On June 23, two days before Pauly likens was reported missing, Watkins allegedly purchased sawblades from Walmart. Troopers testified that another receipt from Giant Eagle showed he bought medical supplies. 

Investigators say on that same day, in the early morning hours, video surveillance inside his apartment building shows him coming in and out with a suitcase and bags. The prosecution noted that when Watkins returned, he had trouble carrying the suitcase.

On July 2, troopers testified that a search was conducted of Watkins' apartment and a car registered to him. In the trunk of the car, they reportedly found what they believe to be blood, cleaning materials, a suitcase and knife. 

In his apartment, they claim there was what they believe to be blood in his apartment along with knives, saw blades and a hospital bracelet. The defense testified the blood could be anyone's.

The family sat through the whole ordeal. 

"Nobody wants to go through this," said dad Paul Likens. "I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."

When the Mercer County coroner took the stand, he said that nearly one month later, all of the teenager's body parts have yet to be discovered. 

"She should not remembered for this horrendous crime," said neighbor Leelynn Lindsay. "That not who Pauly was, that's just how she was taken." 

The prosecution wants to add involuntary deviate sexual intercourse to the charges Watkins is facing. The defense objects to the extra charge. The family also wants a hate charge added, but it doesn't look like that will happen right now. 

What led up to Likens' disappearance and killing 

Likens was reported missing to Sharon police on June 25. Later that day, authorities said they were called to Shenango Lake in Clark Borough where dismembered human remains were found in the area. The coroner determined the remains belonged to Likens, who was killed by sharp force trauma to the head. 

State police said their investigation found that Likens was in the area of Budd Street Public Park and the canoe launch near Budd Street on June 23 in the early morning hours. Likens appeared to be waiting for someone, police said. 

Investigators said video surveillance located a vehicle in the area at the time and tracked it back to Riverwalk Apartments, then to Watkins. Police said Watkins was seen making several trips out of his apartment with multiple bags and garbage bags.

Watkins told police that he met the victim on the dating app Grindr but denied going to the canoe launch and said the victim never came back to his apartment.

After getting a search warrant for Watkins' apartment, police said they found blood as well as a receipt for a saw with exchangeable blades. One of those blades was missing, investigators said.

The violent killing rocked Sharon and Mercer County. In Likens' obituary, she was remembered as a selfless person who lit up the room and had a contagious laugh.