Tragedy in Kansas City: Fentanyl and Cocaine Toxicity Led to Deaths of Three Chiefs Fans; Two Charged with Manslaughter
A chilling case in Kansas City has reached a new stage, with the revelation of the cause of death for three Kansas City Chiefs fans who were found deceased in January 2024, and subsequent charges brought against two individuals. David Harrington, 37, Clayton McGeeney, 36, and Ricky Johnson, 38, all succumbed to the combined toxic effects of fentanyl and cocaine, according to court documents reviewed by Fox News Digital. The tragic discovery followed a gathering at a friend’s home to celebrate a Chiefs victory, leaving families and the community grappling with grief and demanding answers.
The court documents paint a grim picture of what responding officers encountered upon arriving at the rental home in Kansas City, Missouri. The group of friends had gathered to watch the Chiefs play on January 7, 2024. Just days later, the three men were found dead in the backyard of the residence.
Jordan Willis and Ivory J. Carson are now facing serious charges in connection with the deaths. Both have been charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, specifically something other than 35 grams or less of marijuana or a synthetic cannabinoid. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Willis and Carson appeared in court on Thursday, participating remotely from jail while wearing orange jumpsuits. During their arraignment in Platte County, Missouri, Willis’ lawyer, John Picerno, entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf. The judge entered a not guilty plea for Carson, who currently lacks legal representation and intends to apply for a public defender.
The discovery of the bodies and subsequent investigation have been emotionally taxing for all involved. April Mahoney, McGeeney’s fiancée, was the one who alerted authorities after becoming concerned about his disappearance. She discovered the frozen bodies of the three men on January 9, 2024. According to court documents, Mahoney grew increasingly worried when she couldn’t reach her fiancé. Eventually, she drove to the home and noticed McGeeney’s red Ford F-150 pickup truck parked outside.
Her repeated knocking on the door went unanswered, prompting her to climb through a basement window. Inside, she located a deceased person on the back patio and immediately contacted the police. The documents do not specify which of the three bodies was found first. All three victims were ultimately found deceased in the backyard of the home.
Upon arrival, Mahoney informed authorities that her fiancé would drink and use cocaine. She also noted that McGeeney occasionally ran low on money, and Willis often provided cocaine to his friends. Police discovered a bag of a "white powdery substance" in the top drawer of an end table and a second bag of a "white powdery substance" on top of the entertainment center in the living room. These findings further intensified the investigation.
Willis initially told police on January 9 that he believed McGeeney, Harrington, and Johnson had left his home around 4 a.m. on January 8. However, Picerno later stated that his client went to sleep while the four men were still awake and socializing at the house. He further elaborated that Willis was asleep with earbuds in and a loud fan running, suggesting he was unaware of the events that transpired outside.
Adding another layer to the complexity of the case, two other unidentified witnesses who attended the football watch party told police that they "drank, smoked marijuana, and used cocaine." One witness stated that he left shortly before midnight on January 8. Another witness revealed that before arriving at Willis’ rental home, he observed a "large plate of cocaine allegedly supplied by Mr. Willis that everyone was using" at Harrington’s home.
Court records also implicated Carson, also known as "Blade Brown," in supplying and selling cocaine to Willis and the victims. Furthermore, Carson’s DNA was reportedly found on a bag of fentanyl, suggesting his direct involvement in the distribution of the substances that ultimately led to the men’s deaths.
The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) conducted a 14-month investigation before filing charges. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves emphasized the dedication of the detectives involved, stating that they "never stopped working on the case, waiting for all the facts to come in. Reaching this point is a testament to their dedication to delivering justice for the victims and their loved ones."
The families of the deceased have been vocal in their pursuit of answers and accountability. The combination of drug use, potential supply of illicit substances, and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the bodies have raised numerous questions and fueled intense scrutiny of the events leading up to the tragedy. The case underscores the devastating consequences of drug use and the potential legal ramifications for those involved in their distribution.
The charges against Willis and Carson mark a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families. As the legal proceedings unfold, further details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the full scope of the events that culminated in the deaths of the three Chiefs fans. The community remains deeply affected by this tragedy, and the outcome of the case will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.
