It’s been almost a year since three Chiefs fans were found dead in their friend’s backyard, in a mystery that police have yet to solve.
The investigation into the deaths of Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36, appears to have stalled as police have yet to charge anyone or even find any evidence of foul play, despite their concerns. family.
The friends were found days after they were last seen in the frozen backyard of their friend, HIV scientist Jordan Willis, in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 9.
Although toxicology reports showed they had cocaine, THC and fentanyl in their systems, officials have not revealed a cause of death for the men.
The men’s relatives have continued to search for answers about the circumstances of their deaths as police still have full toxicology reports, citing an ongoing investigation that has apparently yielded no results nearly a year later.
Willis’ attorney John Picerno said in September that he expected charges would be filed, but not against his client, but against those who supplied the friends with drugs. However, no files have been filed in the case.
“I was told there would be charges within the next two to three weeks,” Picerno said The Kansas City star on Monday. ‘That didn’t happen.
“And when I finally called back to double check, they refused to comment at all.”
The bodies of David Harrington, 36 (second from left), Ricky Johnson, 38 (far right) and Clayton McGeeney, 37 (second from right) were found on January 9 in the backyard of their friend Jordan Willis’ home in Kansas City .
Willis’ attorney John Picerno said in September that he expected charges to be filed, but not against his client — but no one has been charged
Loved ones of the dead men have raised questions about the lack of reporting on their bodies, and the snow they say was not deep enough to submerge them.
Picerno added that he believes the friends died of an overdose due to recreational drug use.
“What we’ve seen lately, especially with the explosion of fentanyl … we’re seeing a lot more people who you wouldn’t necessarily label as drug dealers being charged with some form of murder under these circumstances,” Picerno said.
“If (someone) gives drugs to someone, they take the drugs and then they die.”
The three friends were found after McGeeney’s fiancée broke into Willis’ basement when the scientist didn’t open the front door.
She called the police when she saw a body on Willis’ porch. Officers then found the other two bodies.
Police have emphasized that the case remains a death investigation and not a murder investigation.
For two days, the victims’ families said they visited Willis’ home, calling him and sending him Facebook messages asking where they were. He didn’t respond.
Willis has claimed he went to bed not knowing his friends were still in his backyard.
He also said he didn’t see any messages from his missing friends’ loved ones until police arrived at his home because he was sleeping with headphones on.
Willis’ attorney said his client has moved from the area and deactivated his social media accounts because of the “cloud of suspicion” the deaths have placed on him.
He also reportedly went to rehab after the mysterious deaths of his friends.
Relatives and loved ones of the dead have questioned Willis’ story.
“None of the stories match what he says; How do you not know there are three dead bodies on the porch?’ asked Adriana Juarez, the mother of Johnson’s child.
John Picerno, Jordan Willis’ attorney, said he believes the friends died of an overdose from recreational drug use
David Harrington, 36, (left), Clayton McGeeney, 37, (center) and Ricky Johnson, 38, (right) were found dead in Willis’ backyard on January 9
Johnson’s niece, Stephanie Walling, has said the national attention has been tough, but they hope it will lead to a breakthrough in the case.
“I never thought it would get as much attention as it has, but I hope with the attention it will bring us closer to getting answers,” she said.