A mother desperately searching for her missing daughter came across a scene straight out of a horror movie – her daughter’s killer “covered in blood” and riding his teenage victim’s scooter.
The body of Michelle “Luna” Jackson, 17, of Farnhamville, a small town of fewer than 400 people in northwest Iowa, was found Monday morning, less than 24 hours after her mother first reported her missing.
Jackson’s frantic mother and sister went out to search the neighborhood Sunday night after Jackson failed to return home, and that’s when they came across the horrific sight of his alleged killer walking away.
Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney, 21, was arrested and booked into the Carroll County Jail for abuse of a corpse and failure to disclose a known location.
He was initially charged with hiding the girl’s body to conceal a crime, KTIV News reported.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday night that Bevers-McGiveny was subsequently charged with first-degree murder.
Michelle “Luna” Jackson, 17, of Farnhamville, a town in northwest Iowa, was found dead Monday morning, less than 24 hours after her mother first reported her missing. She was the victim of a homicide.
Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney, 21, was arrested and held in the Carroll County Jail on Monday on charges of abuse of a corpse and failure to disclose a known location, meaning he was accused of hiding the girl’s body to conceal a crime, KTIV News reported.
Before Jackson’s identity was confirmed, she was listed as Jane Doe, authorities said.
It was unclear what led to Jackson’s death and whether the two knew each other.
When Bevers-McGivney was located, he was in possession of the teen’s scooter and some of her other personal belongings.
He refused to answer any questions, police said.
However, a criminal complaint revealed the location where Jackson’s body was found, alleging that Bevers-McGivney intentionally concealed the young woman’s body to cover up a crime.
Her body was found Monday around 9 a.m. in a farm field south of the city.
The Daily Mail reached out to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office for more information on the case, but they were unavailable.
Many in the community were shocked by Jackson’s death.
Jackson’s obituary said she was “the victim of a senseless act of violence.”
The park was surrounded by police tape during the police investigation.
Jackson was entering her junior year at Southeast Valley High School. She was remembered as someone “who brought joy to those around her.”
“I’m in shock. I never thought we’d see something like this in Farmhamville. I thought it was a safe place,” she said.
“I feel sorry for the family.”
Heartbroken friends and family described the young woman, a junior at Southeast Valley High School, “as someone who ‘brought joy to those around her.'”
She was remembered for her “love of Minecraft, her virtual conversations with friends, her love of swinging in the park, and her passion for music.”
“Luna loved to pamper herself and often visited Bath and Body Works to enjoy their delicious fragrances,” the obituary states.
‘Her interest in the show Supernatural, combined with her love for anime, especially the “Soul Eater” series, showed off her unique and inquisitive spirit.
Jackson pictured with her mother Annette
Jackson smiling after catching a fish
Private funeral services will be held on Thursday at Gowrie Funeral Home. A celebration of life will also be held for family and friends “at some point” in the future.
The tribute also read, in part: “Luna’s presence will be forever missed, but her spirit and memories will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.”
Jackson’s South East Valley High School was heartbroken by the news and It offered counseling to students and staff. “Our thoughts are with the family and those affected by the tragedy,” the school said.
A candlelight vigil was held Sunday night in Farnhamville City Park. Attendees wore purple or black, as those were Jackson’s favorite colors. The messenger This was reported by a local media outlet.
The family also plans to decorate the swing Jackson loved to sit on with flowers.
Troy Jepsen, the mayor of Farnhamville, posted a statement on Facebook Wednesday afternoon.
“My heart aches for everyone involved in this week’s tragedy. My heart aches for this family that has to endure this. I’ve tried to make sense of it, but it doesn’t make any sense,” she said.
‘One of our young women was taken from us too soon, before she could fully make her mark on the world,’ said Michele “Luna” Jackson.
‘I remember Michele from holiday parties in elementary school when I would volunteer to help out, she was in the same grade as my son, she was always so excited to have someone new in the classroom to show them pictures they might have been working on, or the excitement of the party that was going on.
Later, you could usually find her on the swings at the park, or riding her bike with her headphones on, just being a kid, like she should be in a small town.
“What has happened in our city should never happen anywhere else,” he said.
A GofundMe has been created to help Jackson’s family deal with this unimaginable tragedy.
TO GoFundMe It was also created by family friends to help Jackson’s family. The Southeast Valley High School student body has planned a “Red Out” for the rest of the week, asking students to wear red, which is the symbolic color of National Homicide Awareness Day, which is celebrated today.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family with expenses and coping with the incomprehensible loss. As of Wednesday, more than $2,000 of its $10,000 goal had been raised.
Bevers-McGivney is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 4.
