Nine months after three Kansas City Chiefs fans were found dead in their friend’s snowy backyard, the homeowner’s attorney believes criminal charges will eventually be filed in their deaths — but not against his client.
On January 9, 37-year-old Clayton McGeeney, 38-year-old Ricky Johnson, and 36-year-old David Harrington were found dead on Jordan Willis’ Kansas City property by McGeeney’s fiancée. Two days earlier, they had come to Willis’ home to watch a game between the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers. Willis could not be reached by phone. And in the days when families were looking for their relatives who never returned home, they heard no answer at their doors.
Although Preliminary autopsy results Evidence shared with the media by family members suggested that fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana were present in their bodies; the families of the deceased have stated that Willis was involved in their deaths, with some threatening to file civil lawsuits against the homeowner.
On Tuesday, Willis’ attorney, John Picerno, told Fox News Digital that charges would be decided “in the next few weeks” based on “internal conversations” with prosecutors.
Kansas City Chiefs fans deaths: Victims’ families ‘angrily’ disagree over speculation, lawyer says
David Harrington, Clayton McGeeney, and Ricky Johnson were found dead outside their friend’s Kansas City home on January 9, 2024. (Ricky Johnson/Facebook)
“I can say with full confidence that my client will not be charged with anything in this case,” Picerno said. “My client will not be charged with anything in connection to the untimely death of his friends.”
When asked who would be criminally charged in the deaths of these young men, Picerno responded, “If someone provided the drugs to those young men, they could be charged with a serious charge of murder.”
Fox News Digital previously reported that a fifth man, whom Fox News Digital has decided not to name until criminal charges are filed, was at Willis’ home on Northwest 83rd Terrace on Jan. 7 — but that man said the man was a suspect. Fox 4 He said he left while people were still watching the game, and stressed he was not the last person to see him alive.
He Fifth person’s lawyer He could not be reached for comment by Fox News Digital.
Exterior view of Jordan Willis’ home on Friday, January 26, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (DWS for Fox News Digital)
Picerno said the length of the investigation, which the Kansas City Police Department has repeatedly described as a death investigation rather than a homicide investigation, “is certainly unusual.”
He also said that his client had voluntarily handed over all his electronic devices, including DNA samples, to the police at the beginning of the investigation.
“I don’t know why this investigation had to go on for nine months,” Picerno said. “That question would be better left to prosecutors to answer.”
Fox News Digital could not contact the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office, nor the Kansas City Police Department.
Family and friends of Clayton McGeeney (left), David Harrington (center) and Ricky Johnson (right) are demanding answers after the mysterious deaths of the three men in sub-zero temperatures outside their friend’s Kansas City home. (Facebook)
Though he is “confident” his client will avoid criminal prosecution, Picerno said civil charges are likely. He said he has been contacted by attorneys representing the men’s families and told them the statute of limitations for such cases in Missouri is five years.
Picerno said Jordan Willis, who moved out of his Kansas City home after his friends’ deaths and entered a rehabilitation program, has his “life changed forever.”
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HIV scientist Jordan Willis, 38, checked himself into rehab after three of his friends were found dead in their backyard on Jan. 9. (GitHub)
“It’s a really bad thing when people assume you’re guilty without any real evidence,” Picerno said. “It’s a very tough road home, and he’s managing it the best he can.”
A source close to the Willis family told Fox News Digital that the 39-year-old PhD holder and research scientist is “still grappling with the consequences of all this.”
“Not only did he lose his good friends, but many people turned away from him,” the source said.
“It has affected every part of his life, and he is doing the best he can,” the source added. “He’s been helping take care of his dad this year, and trying to stay positive.”
