BREAKING: Two arrested over deaths of three KC Chiefs fans who froze to death in yard
THE COLD CASE…
In a significant development nearly 14 months after the tragic incident, Kansas City police have arrested two individuals in connection with the deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans found frozen in a friend's backyard. The victims, David Harrington (36), Ricky Johnson (38), and Clayton McGeeney (37), were discovered on January 9, 2024, following a gathering at the home of their friend Jordan Willis to watch the Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers. The arrests of Willis, 39, and Ivory J. Carson, 42, mark a breakthrough in a case that had left families and the community searching for answers, with both suspects now facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a controlled substance. This update, announced on March 6, 2025, underscores the persistence of the Kansas City Police Department, which continued its investigation despite the passage of time.
Details emerging from the investigation paint a troubling picture of the events leading to the deaths. Witnesses reported that the group had been drinking, smoking marijuana, and using cocaine at Willis’ home after the game, with one account alleging that Willis supplied a “plate of cocaine” that everyone consumed earlier that evening at Harrington’s residence. The three men were last seen alive on January 7, 2024, and their bodies were found two days later in Willis’ snowy backyard, raising questions about how they ended up outside in freezing conditions. The charges suggest that the authorities believe the suspects’ actions—possibly involving the provision of drugs—contributed to the fatal outcome, though the exact circumstances of how the men froze to death remain under scrutiny.
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The arrests have brought a mix of relief and renewed anguish to the victims’ families, who had grown frustrated with the slow pace of the investigation. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves praised the detectives’ dedication, noting their relentless effort to gather all the facts over the past year. Meanwhile, Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd emphasized that the lengthy investigation was necessary to ensure justice, countering earlier doubts about its progress. Carson is currently detained with a $100,000 cash bond, while Willis is expected to surrender and post the same amount. As the legal process unfolds, this case continues to resonate in Kansas City, spotlighting issues of substance use and accountability within a tight-knit community of football fans.