Two teenage Alaska girls ‘violently’ murdered in home by man who gave them ‘marijuana and homebrew’
Two teenage girls were found “violently” murdered in an Alaska home last week by a man who authorities say gave them marijuana and homebrew.
Alaska State Troopers reported that Novely Rivers and Abigail Olson, both 18, were found dead early Wednesday morning in a Hopper Bay home with “multiple knife wounds.” KYUK reports.
They called the girls’ murders “violent.” according to Must Read Alaska.
After the grisly scene, troopers from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation and Western Alaska Patrol spent days helping local police in the manhunt for the killer, identified by community members as Shaquille Carawan, 20.
He was taken into custody Saturday and has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and second-degree murder in each death, plus counts of tampering with evidence, controlled substance misconduct and furnishing alcohol to minors in a dry environment.
Novely Rivers and Abigail Olson, both 18, were found dead in a Hopper Bay home early Wednesday morning with ‘multiple knife wounds’
Charging documents obtained by KYUK show that troopers were able to link Carawan to the teens through text messages obtained through a warrant indicating he was going to give the two girls marijuana and homebrew on the morning of their deaths.
A subsequent search of his home also revealed shoes with blood in the treads and a knife hidden between a refrigerator and a wall that matched some evidence in the home where the girls were found.
Troopers allege that Carawan later confessed to the murders when questioned.
He is believed to be a relative of at least one of the victims, according to Must Read Alaska.
The girls’ untimely deaths shocked the small town of 1,300 residents. Community members took part in a solidarity walk for the girls and start a GoFundMe to benefit their families.
“It is with deep sorrow that we honor the memory of two best friends, Novely Rivers and Abigail Olson, two bright young souls taken from us far too soon on the same day,” it read.
“Their extraordinary lives have inspired countless hearts, and we now come together to celebrate their legacy in a dignified way.
“Both girls embodied inner and outer beauty and spread joy and warmth to everyone they touched.”
Shaquille Carawan, 20, was taken into custody over the weekend in their deaths and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and second-degree murder in each death, plus counts of tampering with evidence, misconduct involving a controlled substance and providing alcohol to minors in a dry environment
Now in the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center in Bethel, Carawan made his first court appearance by telephone on Monday, where Magistrate Judge Darlene Johnson-Edwards ruled there is probable cause to charge him in the girls’ murders.
District Attorney Jessica Haines then requested a “significant monetary post” for Carawan’s bail.
“At this time, we are extremely concerned for the safety of the community regarding Mr. Carawan,” she argued.
The judge ultimately set his bail at $1.5 million and ordered him not to return to Hopper Bay, possess or consume any controlled substances or have contact with the victims’ families or witnesses in the case, KYUK reports.
He now faces a maximum sentence of 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 on each charge of first- and second-degree murder, as well as an additional five years in prison and a $50,000 fine on charges of providing alcohol to a minor and tampering with evidence.
