FARNHAMVILLE, Iowa — An investigation is underway after officials in Calhoun County located the body of a missing girl.
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office began investigating on Sunday after receiving a report of a missing 17-year-old girl in Farnhamville. During the initial investigation, law enforcement detained a male suspect.
The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nathaniel Kyren Bevers-McGivney of Gowrie, is charged with abuse of a corpse - failure to disclose known location. Bevers-McGiney has been taken into custody at the Carroll County Jail.
Law enforcement located the body of the missing victim Monday morning, according to a release. A spokesperson for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation told Local 5 her body was found in Farnhamville City Park.
The victim was a student at Southeast Valley High School, the district confirmed with Local 5. Laufersweiler Funeral Home published an obituary for Michele "Luna" Jackson that matches identifying details with the body that was found.
DCI on Tuesday confirmed the body was Jackson's.
Local 5 obtained a statement from Southeast Valley Superintendent Brian Johnson:
The district is shocked and saddened by this tragic event. Out of respect for the individual and the family, the district has no further comment. Thank you.
Bevers-McGivney was allegedly found while the victim's mother and sister were looking for the victim. He was found to be covered in what appeared to be blood and was in possession of the victim's scooter she was previously riding as well as some of her other possessions court documents say.
Some who knew the victim 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.”
Longtime residents said this 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.
Law enforcement says that the location of the victim's body indicates Bevers-McGivney attempted to hide her body to intentionally conceal a crime. It is also noted that he failed to disclose the location of the corpse in attempts to further conceal a crime.
"It is such a senseless death," Deanna Hepp, owner of DH Designs said. "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. She was a quiet gal, that kept to herself, didn't bother anyone and loved to go to the park and swing for hours. 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."
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