The mysterious deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans have led to charges against two individuals more than a year after their frozen bodies were discovered in a backyard following a football watch party.
Arrests made after Kansas City Chiefs fans froze to death
Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36, were last seen alive watching the Chiefs’ final regular season game on January 7, 2024. Their lifeless forms were found two days later.
Kansas City police have now filed charges against Jordan Willis, 39—the owner of the home where the men were found—and Ivory J. Carson, 42, who reportedly supplied drugs to the group.
Both men face allegations of involuntary manslaughter and drug distribution that didn’t involve marijuana, according to the Kansas City Star.
Willis, who hosted the game watch party, claimed innocence, stating he went to bed early on January 8, unaware his friends were still in the backyard.
His defense included claims that he missed numerous messages from the victims’ worried families because he was sleeping with headphones on.
But the families of the deceased were skeptical from the start, suspecting Willis of withholding critical information as police maintained for months that they did not suspect foul play.
Investigators now say Carson, nicknamed “Blade Brown,” provided cocaine to Willis and the victims.
Evidence collected by authorities included Carson’s DNA on a bag containing fentanyl found in Willis’ home.
Additionally, a witness reportedly informed investigators that drugs—allegedly supplied by Willis—were being used earlier in the evening at Harrington’s residence before the group moved to Willis’ house.
The watch party reportedly devolved into drug use, with witnesses stating the group consumed marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine.
According to accounts provided to law enforcement, Harrington, McGeeney, and Johnson were still alive as of 1:30 a.m., while Willis had gone to bed.
For two days, concerned family members couldn’t locate the men. Harrington, Johnson, and McGeeney were unresponsive to frantic social media messages sent by loved ones.
On January 9, McGeeney’s fiancée entered Willis’ home when he did not answer the door. She made a grim discovery—a body on the back deck—and called the police. Officers later uncovered the other two victims nearby.
Kansas City Chiefs fans died due to drug toxicity
Toxicology reports confirmed the men had cocaine, THC, and fentanyl in their systems, with Kansas City police formally identifying their deaths as “fentanyl and cocaine toxicity” on Wednesday.
Despite this announcement, loved ones insisted the drugs were likely provided to the men by one of the surviving friends.
Faced with deepening scrutiny, Willis vacated his home and entered a rehabilitation program.
Investigators discovered incriminating text messages on Harrington’s phone, linking Carson and Willis to the supply of cocaine.
Court documents indicated that the victims would sometimes provide cocaine when the group was low on cash—a claim later corroborated by Carson in police interviews conducted this past July.
“This case is a tragic reminder of the dangers of street drugs,” Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said during a press conference.
“But make no mistake, the people who supply those drugs can and will be held accountable when people overdose.”
Carson, accused of regularly selling cocaine by the gram, now sits in jail on a $100,000 cash bond.
Willis has agreed to turn himself in, facing an identical $100,000 bond. If convicted, both men could face up to a decade behind bars.
Broncos coach out after assaulting officer
Meanwhile, unrelated NFL drama unfolded as the Denver Broncos fired assistant coach Michael Wilhoite after an altercation with law enforcement at Denver International Airport.
Head coach Sean Payton confirmed Wilhoite’s dismissal, citing “the serious nature of the allegations.”
Wilhoite, a former NFL linebacker, allegedly assaulted a police officer during a parking dispute.
According to court documents reported by the Denver Post, Wilhoite left his vehicle unattended in a drop-off lane, prompting an officer to intervene.
The confrontation escalated when Wilhoite allegedly cursed at the officer and bumped into him. The officer shoved Wilhoite in response, leading to Wilhoite allegedly punching him in the face.
After being tased near his left hip, Wilhoite fled the scene but was later arrested. The officer sustained injuries, including jaw pain and damage to his knees. Wilhoite now faces a felony assault charge, with his bond set at $5,000.
