A mother desperately searching for her missing child saw a scene straight out of a horror film: 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 northwestern Iowa, was found Monday morning, less than 24 hours after her mother reported her missing.
After Jackson didn’t come home Sunday night, Jackson’s mother and sister frantically searched the neighborhood, only to be confronted with the horrific sight of her alleged killer driving away.
Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney, 21, was arrested and held in Carroll County Jail on suspicion of abuse of a corpse and failure to disclose a known location.
He was initially accused of hiding the girl’s body to cover up a crime, KTIV News reported.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday night that Bevers-McGiveny was later charged with first-degree murder.
Michelle “Luna” Jackson, 17, of Farnhamville, a city in northwest Iowa, was found dead Monday morning, less than 24 hours after her mother reported her missing. She was the victim of a murder
Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney, 21, was arrested Monday and held in the Carroll County Jail on charges of abuse of a corpse and failure to disclose a known location. He was accused of concealing the girl’s body to cover up a crime, KTIV News reported.
Before Jackson’s identity was confirmed, she was listed as a Jane Doe, authorities said.
It is unclear what led to Jackson’s death and whether the two knew each other.
When Bevers-McGivney was found, he had the teen’s scooter and some of her other personal belongings in his possession.
According to police, he refused to answer questions.
However, a criminal complaint revealed where Jackson’s body was found. Bevers-McGivney allegedly deliberately hid the young woman’s body to cover up a crime.
Her body was found around 9 a.m. Monday in a farm field south of the city.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office for more information on the case, but they were not available.
Many people in the community were shocked by Jackson’s death.
Her obituary stated that Jackson was “the victim of a senseless act of violence.”
The park was cordoned off with police tape during the police investigation
Jackson began her junior year at Southeast Valley High School. She was remembered as someone ‘who brought joy to those around her’
“I’m shocked. I never thought you’d see something like this in Farmhamville. I thought this was a safe place,” he said.
“My thoughts are with the family.”
Heartbroken friends and family members described the young woman, a sophomore at Southeast Valley High School, as someone who ‘brought joy to those around her.’
She was remembered for her ‘love of Minecraft, virtual conversations with friends, her love of swinging in the park and her passion for music.’
“Luna enjoyed pampering herself and often went to Bath and Body Works for the fragrant delights,” the obituary read.
‘Her interest in the series Supernatural, combined with her love for anime, especially the series “Soul Eater”, showed her unique and curious mind.
Jackson pictured with her mother Annette
Jackson laughing after catching a fish
Private funeral services are planned for Thursday at the funeral home in Gowrie. A celebration of life for friends and family will also be held ‘sometime’ in the future.
The tribute continued: “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 high school, South East Valley, was heartbroken by the news and offered counseling for students and staff. “Our thoughts are with the family and those affected by the tragedy,” the school said.
A candlelight vigil was held in Farnhamville City Park on Sunday evening. Attendees wore purple or black, as those were Jackson’s favorite colors, The Messenger a local media reported.
The family also plans to decorate the swing that Jackson loved to sit on with flowers.
Farnhamville Mayor Troy Jepsen posted a statement on Facebook Wednesday afternoon.
“My heart aches for everyone involved in this week’s tragedy. I hurt for this family who has to endure this. I’ve tried to make sense of it, but it’s completely pointless,” he said.
One of our young ones was taken from us far too soon, before she could make her mark on the world, Michele “Luna” Jackson
‘I remember Michele from the parties in elementary school where I volunteered to help out. She was in the same class as my son. She was always so happy when someone new came into the class and she could show her pictures of what they were working on, or she was always so happy when there was a party.
Later, you could usually find her on the swings in the park, or on her bike with her headphones on. Just a kid, as it should be in a small town.
“What happened in our city should not happen anywhere else,” he said.
A GofundMe has been set up to help Jackson’s family cope with this unimaginable tragedy
A GoFundMe has also been created by friends of the family to help Jackson’s family. Students at Southeast Valley High School have planned a “Red Out” for the rest of the week, asking students to wear red, the symbolic color of National Homicide Awareness Day, which is today.
A GoFundMe was set up to help the family with expenses and cope with the unfathomable loss. As of Wednesday, over $2,000 had been raised toward their goal of $10,000.
Bevers-McGivney is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on October 4.