Nearly a year since mysterious deaths of 3 KC Chiefs fans, what’s the latest? What we know

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Nearly a year since mysterious deaths of 3 KC Chiefs fans, what’s the latest?

What we know By Kendrick Calfee Updated December 16, 2024 4:31 PM|

Three people were found dead outside a home in the 5200 block of Northwest 83rd Terrace late Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Kansas City. Nearly a year after three men were found dead outside a home in Kansas City’s Northland, police have not been able to identity evidence of foul play and no charges have been filed. Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36, gathered at their friend Jordan Willis’ home to watch the Kansas City Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers on Jan. 7. The three were found dead two days later in Willis’ backyard.

Willis’ attorney John Picerno previously told media outlets he had expected charges to soon be filed in connection with the deaths, but not against his client. Picerno told The Star that at the time, prosecutors indicated they were looking into others who may have supplied drugs that the three men took. “I was told charges would be forthcoming in the next two to three weeks or so,” Picerno said about his comments in September. “That didn’t happen. “And then when I finally called back again to double check on that, they refused to make any comments at all.”

Since police have not been able to determine foul play in a year-long investigation, Picerno said he doesn’t suspect anyone gave the men drugs in an attempt to end their lives. Picerno said he thinks the deaths were caused by an overdose from recreational drug use. But authorities have not yet disclosed the three men’s causes of death. “What we have seen lately, especially with the explosion of fentanyl... we see a lot more people who you wouldn’t necessarily label as drug dealers being charged in these circumstances for some kind of felony murder,” Picerno said. “When (someone) gives drugs to somebody, they take the drugs, and then they die.”

Since Picerno’s comments to media in September, there have been no updates from prosecutors on the case. Picerno said he has not seen toxicology or autopsy reports. Forensic Medical of Kansas City and Topeka denied a public records request made by The Star for Johnson, Harrington and McGeeney’s autopsy and toxicology reports. The record is closed while the investigation is ongoing, the agency said in an email. No evidence of foul play McGeeney’s fiancée broke into the basement of Willis’ home in the 5200 block of Northwest 83rd Terrace after there was no answer at the front door. She called police when she found a body on Willis’ back porch. Officers arrived and found two other men dead in the backyard. No one had heard from the three men after that night they met to watch the game, loved ones previously told The Star. Police at the time said there were no obvious signs of foul play at the scene.

Now, almost a year later, and after a medical examiner had completed their reports, a KCPD spokesperson said there was still no evidence of foul play. KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez said in an email that the case remained a death investigation, not a homicide.

Prosecutors declined to comment on the case this week and told The Star the investigation is ongoing. A ‘cloud of suspicion’ Since the investigation’s onset, Picerno has been vocal that Willis knew nothing about the men’s deaths. But accounts of what, exactly, happened that night have varied. In March, Picerno released a statement on behalf of Willis. He said Willis went to bed not knowing his friends were still in his backyard. In the statement, Picerno said Willis hadn’t received calls or texts from the loved ones of his friends prior to the police showing up at his home. Two people came to Willis’ home, but he didn’t hear them because he sleeps with headphones and a loud fan, the statement said.

One person contacted him on Facebook Messenger, but Willis didn’t see the message until after police contacted him, Picerno said. Two of the men parked their cars on the street, but Willis didn’t notice them and wouldn’t find it unusual for his friends to leave their cars at his house overnight, the attorney said. When police arrived, Willis allowed them into his home, told them what he knew and willingly consented to a search of his home, according to Picerno. Picerno previously confirmed that Willis has moved out of the Northland home and deactived his social media accounts because of the attention the case received. Rumors circulated on social media with people speculating as to how the three men had died. Picerno said Wilis is anxiously waiting for the investigation to be completed.

“My client is still living under a cloud of suspicion,” Picerno said. “The general public believes he is responsible for their deaths, and that’s simply not true. I knew it initially and... I think prosecutors know that as well and so it’s kind of frustrating that they won’t come out publicly and state that.”

Previous reporting by Andrea Klick contributed to this story.