Two Charged in Deaths of Three Kansas City Chiefs Fans
More than a year after the mysterious deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans, prosecutors have filed charges against two men in connection with the case. Jordan Willis and Ivory Carson face accusations of distribution of a controlled substance and involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Ricky Johnson, David Harrington, and Clayton McGeeney. The three men were found deceased on January 7, 2024, at a residence in Kansas City rented by Willis.
The case garnered significant national attention due to the initial uncertainty surrounding the cause of death. The autopsy results, finally released on Wednesday, revealed the tragic truth: the men succumbed to the toxic effects of fentanyl and cocaine.
John Picerno, Willis’s attorney based in Kansas City, issued a statement asserting his client’s innocence. "Jordan maintains that he is not responsible for purchasing or supplying the drugs that led to the deaths of his three friends," Picerno stated. He had previously described Willis as a 38-year-old scientist working remotely for a New York hospital.
As of now, it remains unknown whether Carson has secured legal representation. Both men are currently in the custody of the Platte County Sheriff, held at a county detention facility.
The Kansas City Police Department’s investigation revealed that officers discovered the bodies two days after the men gathered to watch a Chiefs game against the Los Angeles Chargers (formerly San Diego Chargers). On the night of the game, temperatures plummeted to 29 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service.
Two days after the gathering, McGeeney’s fiancée, concerned about not hearing from him, visited the residence. Unable to get a response at the door, she entered the property and discovered a deceased individual in the backyard. Police were subsequently called to the scene, where they found two additional deceased men in the same area.
While autopsies were conducted on all three men in January, the official cause and manner of death remained undisclosed for months. Eventually, a doctor with Forensic Medical of Kansas determined that McGeeney, Harrington, and Johnson had all died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and cocaine, as confirmed by prosecutors.
Throughout the investigation, the police maintained that they did not suspect foul play in the deaths. Platte County District Attorney Eric Zahnd addressed the public’s perception of the case, stating, "Some people seemed to believe charges would never be brought in this case, perhaps because the investigation has spanned more than a year. Understand this: The Kansas City Police Department and my office do not rest on homicide cases until we have exhausted every possible resource to bring anyone we believe responsible to justice."
Lauren McDaniel, with Forensic Medical in Kansas City, confirmed that the autopsy results were sealed under Missouri law for an extended period.
Following the deaths, family members of the victims speculated that a drug overdose, potentially involving fentanyl, may have been the cause. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, is often mixed with cocaine and other illicit recreational drugs, increasing the risk of accidental overdose.
Theresa Harrington and her husband, John Harrington, discussed their son’s death in a February interview. “David wasn’t a drug addict, or anything like that," Harrington’s mother stated. "He didn’t take the drugs to (die). If he took the drugs on his own, he took them to get high."
McGeeney, Johnson, and Harrington were all graduates of Park Hill High School and had been friends since their youth, according to their obituaries.
Picerno expressed surprise at the filing of charges, stating that it "was contrary to what the prosecuting attorneys office told me several months ago." He reiterated his client’s lack of involvement in the deaths, emphasizing that Willis had no knowledge of the men’s presence in his backyard or their need for medical attention. "Had he known, he certainly would have called for help," Picerno added.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers a lethal dose of fentanyl to be a mere 2 milligrams, underscoring the extreme danger posed by the drug. The drug often laces cocaine, heroin and counterfeit pills. The small margin between a recreational dose and a fatal dose makes the drug exceptionally dangerous.
The prosecution will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Willis and Carson distributed the controlled substances that led to the deaths of Johnson, Harrington, and McGeeney. Proving intent and causation in these cases will likely be a complex process for the legal teams on both sides. The case highlights the pervasiveness of fentanyl in recreational drug use and the danger it poses to individuals who may be unaware of its presence in the drugs they consume.
