Gowrie Man Charged with First-Degree Murder in the Death of Farnhamville Girl

By Cassandra Kyser
Calhoun County Phoenix

Nathaniel Kyren Bevers-McGivney of Gowrie has been charged with First-Degree Murder after an investigation into the disappearance and death of a 17-year-old Farnhamville girl, according to a criminal complaint filed in Calhoun County. He is in custody at Carroll County Jail.

The victim has been identified as Michele "Luna" Jackson.

The complaint reads, “On September 22, 2024, in Calhoun County, Iowa, NATHANIEL KYREN BEVERS-MCGIVNEY committed murder in the first degree by willfully, deliberately, and premeditatedly cutting the throat of M.J., a 17-year-old girl, with a knife, with the specific intent to kill M.J. and malice aforethought, causing M.J.'s death.” 

The complaint further states that the crime occurred at Farnhamville City Park on Niebel St some time after 8 p.m. 

Jackson was reported as missing on Sunday evening. According to KCCI, Jackson’s mother and sister were out looking for her when they came across Bevers-McGivney “who was ‘covered in apparent blood’ and was in possession of the missing daughter’s scooter and other personal effects.”

When law enforcement questioned Bevers-McGivney about the blood, he asked to speak with a lawyer. He was taken into custody and initially held on charges of Abuse of a Corpse - Failure to Disclose Known Location. 

Jackson’s body was found just after 9 a.m. Monday morning but the exact location has not been made public. KCCI reported, “The location where the girl’s body was discovered ‘suggests that Bevers-McGivney intentionally hid’ the body to conceal a crime, and that he failed to disclose the location with the intent to conceal a crime.” 

On Monday, Farnhamville City Park was taped off as law enforcement appeared to search for and gather evidence.

Jackson was a student at Southeast Valley High School. A statement released on the school’s Facebook page said: 

“We understand that this news may be difficult for many in our community. Counseling services are available for anyone in need of support during this challenging time. Please reach out to your attendance center office for a referral to these services. Our thoughts are with the family and friends affected by this tragedy.”

Troy Jepsen, mayor of Farnhamville, responded to the tragedy on Facebook: 

“What has happened in our city should never happen anywhere, let alone in a place we have built on love and respect for our neighbors, and where we take our kids to play and enjoy themselves, where we have our celebrations, a place that holds dear memories of family, friends, and laughter. Talk, lean on each other, know your neighbor is watching you to ensure you're alright, help one another. This is what we have to do to heal our small town.”

In a press release, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Dept noted that several other agencies assisted in the investigation: the lowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Webster County Sherif's Office, Greene County Sherif's Office, Rockwell City Police Department, Lake City Police Department,

Calhoun County Emergency Medical Services, Farnhamville Fire and Ambulance, Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency, Webster County Emergency Management Agency, and the Gowrie Police Department.

Note: We initially reported Nathaniel’s last name as Bevers-Geving, which is incorrect. His last name is Bevers-McGivney. We regret the error.