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An Alaska man, Shaquille Carawan, 20, has been charged with the brutal murders of two 18-year-old girls, Novely Rivers and Abigail Olson, in an incident that authorities say stemmed from an argument that escalated into violence. Carawan is facing two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and furnishing alcohol to minors.
The tragic events took place on October 2 in Hooper Bay, Alaska, where police discovered the bodies of Rivers and Olson after responding to a report of two “unresponsive females.” Both teens had suffered multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma, according to a police affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, told the Anchorage Daily News that investigators believe the attack resulted from a heated argument that turned physical. It was also revealed that Carawan and Rivers were cousins.
Text messages between Rivers and Carawan prior to the killings provide a glimpse into the events leading up to the murders. According to the affidavit, Carawan had texted Rivers that he planned to bring over marijuana and a torch for smoking. He also mentioned he had made homemade alcohol and would bring it to her house to drink. The conversation continued until Carawan texted, “I’m by the porch now,” and no further messages were sent.
At the crime scene, investigators uncovered significant evidence linking Carawan to the murders. Bloodstained shoes with unique tread patterns matching those found at the scene were discovered under Carawan’s sleeping area. Additionally, a blue Cuisinart knife with a broken tip was found hidden between the refrigerator and the wall. The knife’s sheath had been located at the crime scene, further tying Carawan to the attack. told by AOL.
Initially, during questioning, Carawan denied involvement in the killings but later confessed to stabbing both victims with the blue knife, describing the event in detail. He also admitted to taking the victims’ phones and throwing them into a lake while fleeing the scene. The phones were later recovered by investigators.
According to the affidavit, Carawan also confessed to disposing of his bloody clothing by placing it in a weighted plastic bag and throwing it into a river. A bag of bloodied clothing was later discovered in a steam bath on his property, and police confirmed that the clothing matched what Carawan had been seen wearing in photos posted on his Facebook.
As the investigation continues, the small Alaskan community is left grappling with the horrifying loss of two young lives.
