FARNHAMVILLE, Iowa — A man is charged with first-degree murder after officials in Calhoun County located the body of a missing girl.
21-year-old Nathaniel Kyren Bevers-McGivney was initially charged with Abuse of a Corpse — Failure to Disclose Known Location. Later, he was also charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 17-year-old girl.
The victim has been identified by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation as Michele "Luna" Jackson.
Bevers-McGiney is currently being held at the Carroll County Jail.
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office began investigating the incident Sunday after Jackson was reported missing in Farnhamville.
Court documents claim Jackson's mother and sister saw Bevers-McGivney while they were out looking for Jackson. When they found him, Bevers-McGivney allegedly had the victim's scooter and was covered in what appeared to be blood.
Authorities questioned Bevers-McGivney about the apparent blood before taking him into custody.
Law enforcement located Jackson's body Monday morning, according to a press release. Criminal complaints claim Bevers-McGivney allegedly cut Jackson's throat with a knife and proceeded to hide her body.
A spokesperson for Iowa DCI confirmed Jackson's body was found in Farnhamville City Park.
Some who knew Jackson say she frequented Farnhamville City Park and was often seen on the swings late at night.
“I was coming back in town today and thinking about how she just sat in that swing all the time," Farnhamville resident Patty Wilson told Local 5. "My son went to hug it and it’s just so hard.”
In addition to sitting on the swings, Jackson loved Minecraft, anime, music and Bath and Body Works, according to her obituary.
Deanna Hepp, owner of DH Designs, described Jackson's death as "senseless."
"I had gotten to know the gal recently because of my bread, she just loved it, and would buy it when she had the money," Hepp said. "...My heart just breaks for her mom, sister, grandma and other family. They have all lived in our town their entire lives. Just something you don't think will happen in your small Iowa town."
The victim was also a student at Southeast Valley High School. In a statement to Local 5, Southeast Valley Superintendent Brian Johnson said in part, "The district is shocked and saddened by this tragic event."
A private funeral service for Jackson will be held at the Laufersweiler Funeral Home on Thursday and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The investigation into Jackson's death is ongoing, according to Iowa DCI. The agency plans to release additional details on the investigation soon.
Longtime residents said the incident is a first for the small town of Farnhamville.
“I've never seen anything like this in the 57 years I’ve lived here," Jeory Everhart said.
Officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Iowa DCI and several other law enforcement divisions are assisting the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office in this investigation. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information or security camera footage to reach out to them at cgoodman@calhouncounty.iowa.gov.
Editor's Note: The below video is from Monday, Sept. 23