Two Men Charged in Drug-Related Death of 3 Chiefs Fans at Party
Charges Filed
Police have charged two men in connection with the death of three Kansas City Chiefs fans whose bodies were found following a watch party in January last year, authorities said Wednesday.
Arrest Warrant Details
According to an arrest warrant, Ivory Carson and Jordan Wills both face three counts each of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of delivering a controlled substance in relation to the deaths of Ricky Johnson, 38, Clayton McGeeney, 36, and David Harrington, 37, three friends since high school.
Autopsy Results
Police found the bodies in the backyard of a house on NW 83rd Terrace in the city on January 9, 2024. Autopsies revealed that all three men died of combined cocaine and fentanyl toxicity.
Probable Cause Statement
A probable cause statement accused the defendants of "recklessly causing the deaths." Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Bond Details
Carson is already in custody in Platte County with a $100,000 case bond, while Willis has told police he will surrender to authorities and will post a $100,000 case bond.
Prosecutor’s Statement
"This case is a tragic reminder of the dangers of street drugs," Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd told a news conference Wednesday. "But make no mistake, the people who supply those drugs can and will be held accountable when people overdose."
Investigation Timeline
McGeeney’s fiancée told police that the three men went to Jordan Willis’s house to watch the game on January 7. When she couldn’t contact McGeeney, she went to the house after spotting McGeeney’s pickup truck outside. No one came to the door and the witness entered the house through a basement window, NBC affiliate KSHB of Kansas City reported, citing court documents.
Investigation Findings
She found a body on the back patio and called police. The temperatures dropped below freezing on the night of the game. Witnesses told police they saw the victims consuming drugs, including alcohol and marijuana, and text messages show that the men had agreed to be supplied with drugs.
Search Warrant
After obtaining a warrant to search the house, police found two plastic bags containing white powdery substances — testing revealed that one was cocaine and one was fentanyl.
Police Chief’s Statement
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves told the news conference: "This is a message to those who are bringing fentanyl into our communities, providing it to people, harming communities: you will be held accountable, you will be arrested and you will be charged."
Investigation Timeline
Police and prosecutors acknowledged that the investigation had taken 14 months to lead to charges, but said that they had not given up on the case.
Victim’s Family Reaction
Stephanie Walling, Johnson’s niece, told NBC News back in January last year of the pain his death had caused and that the family had no idea exactly how he had died. "It’s just really hard because I know his girls meant the world to him and he had really big plans for them," she said. "Now, he won’t get to follow through with those plans."
Conclusion
This case is a tragic reminder of the dangers of street drugs and the devastating consequences that can result from drug use. The charges filed against Carson and Willis are a step towards justice for the families of the victims and a message to those who supply drugs that they will be held accountable.
FAQs
- What were the charges against the two defendants?
The defendants were charged with three counts each of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of delivering a controlled substance. - How long did the investigation take?
The investigation took 14 months to lead to charges. - What were the circumstances surrounding the men’s deaths?
The men died of combined cocaine and fentanyl toxicity, with autopsies revealing that they had consumed drugs, including alcohol and marijuana, on the night of the game.
