Draft:Murder of Pauly Likens

Pauly Likens was a 14 year old transgender girl that was killed via blunt force trauma and subsequently dismembered on June 23, 2024.

Background
Pauly Likens Jr. was born on July 6, 2009 to parents Jennifer McClure and Paul Likens Sr. She was widely described as being a selfless person that brought joy to those around her, someone who enjoyed music, fashion, and animals; and who dreamed of one day becoming a park ranger like her aunt.

Murder
On June 22, Likens left her friend's house to walk home late at night. In the early hours of June 23, Likens posted a Snapchat saying that she'd gone for a late night walk. When her friend texted to ask if she was okay, she replied, but did not reply to further messages.

Likens was later found dismembered.

Investigation
Video surveillance obtained by police shows Likens walking past a canoe launch on the Shenango River on the night of June 23, as well as a vehicle arriving at the launch around the same time and departing some time after. Surveillance also showed the accused leaving a nearby apartment complex with an empty duffel bag, arriving at the canoe launch in said vehicle, departing thereafter, and returning to the apartment complex 20 to 25 minutes later with the bag now containing something described as looking "heavy and awkward".

Hate crime charges
Both Likens' family and various LGBT groups have called for the murder to be prosecuted as a hate crime, however police stated that they did not believe it was one due to the accused being a gay man and Likens being transgender.