John Jefferson
Left: Novely Rivers (Selfie/Facebook). Right: Abigail Olson (Selfie/Facebook).
An Alaska man is behind bars for the murder of two teenage girls whose slain bodies were found under mysterious circumstances earlier this month, state police say.
Shaquille Carawan, 20, stands accused of myriad crimes including two counts each of murder in the first degree and murder in the second degree, as well as one count each of tampering with evidence, misconduct involving a controlled substance, and furnishing alcohol to minors in a dry community, according to an updated press release issued by the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
Law enforcement has not described the exact circumstances of the killings — or what led to their discovery. Police did, however, say the two women were killed in a “violent” fashion.
On the morning of Oct. 2, someone discovered the bodies of Novely Rivers, 18, and Abigail Olson, 18, inside a residence in Hooper Bay — a small town on the southwestern coast of Alaska.
The state medical examiner’s office determined the teenagers died from “multiple knife injuries,” according to charging documents obtained by Bethany-based Alaska Public Radio affiliate KYUK.
In their initial press release, state troopers requested the public’s help. A $10,000 reward was offered by the City of Hooper Bay and the Native Village of Hooper Bay for information leading to the “arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for the deaths.”
Troopers stressed they were only interested in “FIRST-HAND information” about the crime. It is unclear if a tipster was ultimately involved in the charges being filed against Carawan but a later press release said local tips and information “aided the investigation.”
Investigators obtained warrants and connected the defendant to the deceased by way of text messages, according to the documents.
In those text messages, state troopers allege that Carawan had arranged to supply both Rivers and Olson with marijuana and home-brewed alcohol on the day they were killed.
After confirming who the other phone number was registered to, a second warrant was obtained allowing investigators to search Carawan’s residence. There, state troopers found telltale evidence related to the murders, according to the charging document.
Inside, investigators allegedly found shoes with blood in the treads and a knife hidden between a refrigerator and a wall that aligned with other evidence found where the victims were killed.
State troopers also say Carawan eventually confessed to the murders. He was arrested on Saturday. A judge reviewing the charges found probable cause to hold him in jail during a hearing on Monday.
“What I need to tell you, Mr. Carawan, is I will not be accepting a plea from you,” Magistrate Judge Darlene Johnson-Edwards said, according to a courtroom report by KYUK. “However, we’ll be explaining the charges that are being brought against you in this case, and your case will be sent on for further proceedings.”
Loved ones remembered Rivers and Olson fondly in a GoFundMe.
“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,” the online fundraiser reads. “Their extraordinary lives inspired countless hearts, and we’re now rallying support to celebrate their legacies with dignity. Both girls embodied inner and outer beauty, spreading joy and warmth to all they touched.”
“At this point, we are extremely concerned for the safety of the community, with regard to Mr. Carawan,” prosecutor Jessica Haines said at the hearing — requesting a “significant monetary posting” to keep the defendant in lockup.
The court reportedly set bail at $1.5 million and ordered the defendant not to have any contact with the victims’ families.
Carawan is currently being detained in the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center. He is next slated to appear in court on Oct. 17.
Law&Crime reached out to the Alaska State Troopers and other state officials for additional details on this story but no responses were immediately forthcoming at the time of publication.
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