BUTLER, Pa. — A welfare check in Butler quickly turned into a death investigation Monday, leading to the arrest of 64-year-old Cavell Watkins.
According to court paperwork, Butler City police were called to an apartment in the 200 block of North Main Street for a report of a possible deceased person inside.
When officers arrived, police say Watkins, who is known in the area as “JJ,” answered the door and allowed investigators inside.
The criminal complaint states officers found a large trash can in the kitchen with a bottle of cologne sitting on top.
When they opened the lid, investigators discovered a man’s body inside.
Police wrote in the complaint that the victim’s body was “folded at the waist” and covered with pillows and blankets.
Channel 11 obtained video that neighbors identified as showing Watkins moving a trash can that police later allege was used to conceal the body.
The discovery shocked people who live and work nearby.
“Kind of crazy, you know, especially here, you know what I mean? Especially above your business,” said Jeff Eberhardt, who works at Pizza Joe’s.
Eberhardt said his son alerted him to a police presence behind the building Monday morning.
“They took a large garbage can out the back of the building. It was kind of strange, you know,” Eberhardt said.
According to investigators, Watkins told detectives he, the victim and another woman had been using crack cocaine together.
Police say Watkins told them he and the woman left the apartment while the victim was still alive and returned about 40 minutes later to find him unresponsive.
Court records state Watkins told investigators he initially covered the body with a sheet before later placing it in the trash can.
Neighbors who knew those involved said they were disturbed by what happened and questioned why authorities were not called sooner.
“You would get in less trouble, in my opinion, if you, initially, be respectful and call the police,” one neighbor said.
Another neighbor added:
“Should’ve called the police. Should’ve called 911. Maybe they could’ve saved him.”
Police said Watkins told detectives he believed the victim had overdosed and hid the body because he was afraid.
Investigators have not determined exactly when the man died but believe his death occurred sometime Wednesday or Thursday.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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