Two teenage girls were found ‘violently’ murdered inside an Alaska home last week by a man authorities say plied them with marijuana and homebrew.
Alaska State Troopers reported that Novely Rivers and Abigail Olson, both 18, were found dead inside a Hopper Bay home with ‘multiple knife injuries’ early Wednesday morning, KYUK reports.
They referred to the girls’ murders as ‘violent,’ according to Must Read Alaska.
Following the grisly scene, troopers from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation and Western Alaska Patrol spent days assisting local law enforcement in the manhunt for the killer, whom members of the community identified as Shaquille Carawan, 20.
He was taken into custody on Saturday and has been charged with two counts of first-degree 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 inside a Hopper Bay home with ‘multiple knife injuries’ early Wednesday morning
Charging documents obtained by KYUK say troopers were able to link Carawan to the teens through text messages obtained by a warrant, which indicated he was going to provide the two girls with marijuana and homebrew the morning of their deaths.
An ensuing search of his home also uncovered shoes with blood in the treads and a knife hidden between a fridge and a wall that matched some evidence at the house where the girls were found.
Troopers claim Carawan later confessed to the murders upon questioning.
It is believed he is 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 people, with community members participating in a walk of solidarity for the girls and starting a GoFundMe to benefit their families.
‘With profound sorrow, we honor the memory of two best friends, Novely Rivers and Abigail Olson, two radiant young souls taken from us far too soon on the same day,’ it reads.
‘Their extraordinary lives inspired countless hearts, and we’re now rallying to celerate their legacies with dignity.
‘Both girls embodied inner and outer beauty, spreading joy and warmth to all they touched.’
Shaquille Carawan, 20, was taken into custody over the weekend for their deaths and was charged with two counts of first-degree 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
Carawan is now serving time at the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center in Bethel, and made an initial telephonic court appearance on Monday, at which Magistrate Judge Darlene Johnson-Edwards ruled that there is probable cause to charge him in the girls’ homicides.
State Prosecutor Jessica Haines then requested a ‘significant monetary posting for Carawan’s bail.
‘At this point, we are extremely concerned for the safety of the community with regard to Mr. Carawan,’ she argued.
The judge ultimately set his bai at $1.5million and ordered him not to return to Hopper Bay, possess or consume any controlled substances or have contact with the victims’ families or any witnesses in the case, KYUK reports.
He now faces up to 99 years in prison and up to a $500,000 fine for each count of first- and second-degree murder, as well as another five years in prison and a $50,000 fine on the charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor and tampering with evidence.
