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Watkins’ neighbors react to news of teen’s body found

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Neighbors were shocked and relieved Thursday after learning that police found the body of a missing Indianapolis teenager.

15-year-old Timmee Jackson and 16-year old Satori Dionne Williams disappeared on Christmas Eve.

Police said their deaths have been linked to bail bondsman Kevin Watkins, who is charged with two counts of murder.

Kevin Watkins’ neighbors watched the initial investigation unfold and hope the family has some comfort now.

Monday night a quiet pond on the east side of Indianapolis was a site of discovery for police.

The body of missing teen Timmee Jackson was found in a shallow grave on the path to the pond.

The scene is about two miles from the home of Kevin Watkins.

“Having somebody that could be like that right in your backyard is scary, especially when you have children of your own,” Watkins’ neighbor Dana Gooley said.

Dana Gooley and Aaron Dumke can see Watkins’ backyard from their porch.

They remember the initial search there back in December.

“You can see right through the tree line and we were just sitting out there and there’d be forensic teams and they were combing the backyard and had it all blocked off,” Dumke said.

According to court documents, police found blood and human remains in Watkins’ yard, but the bodies were not found.

“It’s really sad, it’s really terrifying,” Gooley said, “You just never know what could go on in a neighborhood no matter how quiet or nice it is.”

She doesn’t believe that the discovery of the body will bring closure to his family.

“I don’t think that would bring closure to me because my relative is still gone, my child is still gone, my child’s not back,” Gooley said, “It might give a little comfort because they’re at rest but you’ll never have peace with it.”

They also feel sorrow for the family of Williams, the other missing teen, and hope he is found soon.

“It’s heart wrenching, like I could not believe what the parents must feel,” Gooley said.

Jackson’s family spent the day Thursday making funeral arrangements, two months after he went missing.

Kevin Watkins is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on April 14.

The prosecutor’s office doesn’t know yet if the new evidence of a body being found will alter the murder charges against him.

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