Current:Home > Stocks4 friends. 3 deaths, 9 months later: What killed Kansas City Chiefs fans remains a mystery-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
4 friends. 3 deaths, 9 months later: What killed Kansas City Chiefs fans remains a mystery
View Date:2024-12-23 19:15:17
As the NFL prepares to kick off its season with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, a police investigation involving three football fans found dead in a Kansas City-area yard nearly nine months ago remains open, officials said.
At the end of last season, Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36, died under mysterious circumstances. The trio was found dead outside their friend's Missouri home Jan. 9 − two days after the Kansas City Police Department reported they met to watch the Chiefs regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
On Wednesday, less than 24 hours before a new NFL season begins, neither police investigators nor county officials have revealed what what happened to the three long-time high school friends.
But they know.
Despite their completed autopsies, their official cause and manner of death has not been publicly released - a task that typically takes six to eight weeks to be completed.
For months, some of the victims' family members have speculated the men died due to a drug overdose - potentially one involving fentanyl, a synthetic opioid approved for treating pain often laced into cocaine and other illicit recreational drugs.
Here's what to know about the nearly nine-month-old long pending case and when the results might become available:
What's the latest in the investigation?
On the night of the game, Jan. 7, temperatures dipped to 29 degrees, the National Weather Service reported.
Some 48 hours later, police reported, officers received a call from McGeeney’s fiancée who said she visited the home after not hearing from him and, when no one answered the door, broke inside and found a dead body out back. When officers arrived, they also found two other men dead in the backyard.
On Wednesday, Kansas City police spokesperson Jacob Becchina said no new information had been released publicly in the case. He also confirmed to USA TODAY KCPD was currently the only law enforcement agency handling the case.
Lauren McDaniel, with Forensic Medical in Kansas City − where the postmortem exams were conducted −on Wednesday confirmed yet again, the results remained sealed under Missouri law.
Platte County District Attorney Eric Zahnd, who could not immediately be reached Wednesday, previously told USA TODAY releasing their results could constitute a misdemeanor charge. The top prosecutors said both police and prosecutors "want to rule out any potential criminal conduct" in the case.
Zahnd also said autopsy and toxicology results in the case can remain closed until the case becomes inactive, someone is criminally charged and convicted in the case or the statute of limitations to file charges expires.
Kansas City triple death investigation:Parents of man found dead outside home speak out on what they think happened
Defense attorney said he expects break in case soon
The home where the men were found is rented by a 38-year-old scientist who lives alone and works remotely for a New York hospital, according to the man's Kansas City-based lawyer, John Picerno.
USA TODAY is not naming the man who lives in the home where the bodies were found because he has not been charged with a crime.
The man's attorney also questions why it is taking so long to release the information.
"They will also not let me see the autopsies," Picerno told USA TODAY Wednesday. "I don't know if they froze to death or died from drugs. They could have taken drugs and gone outside and froze to death."
He did say he expects a break in the case soon.
Picerno maintains his client had nothing to do with the men's deaths.
"I expect some action to happen in the very near future, but I don't know what it is," Picerno told USA TODAY Wednesday. "I can say: I do not anticipate my client will be charged with felony murder or any type of homicide. I am confident of that."
'A coroner's report... is not purely an investigative record'
Calling it "unfortunate," Kansas City Missouri-based Attorney Dan Curry confirmed Missouri case law shows a coroner's report can be an investigative record, and investigative records can be closed as long as the investigation is pending.
"In this case, the investigation has been pending for a very long time," Curry said Wednesday. "A coroner's report is not in my opinion purely an investigative record. It is also an historical record that lets the public know about the circumstances of death. The law does allow an interested party to file an action asking the Court to release information from an 'investigative record.' However, that requires time and resources that many people do not possess."
'An unusually lengthy delay which warrants an explanation'
Florida-based criminal defense Attorney Colleen Glenn told USA TODAY while it's essential criminal investigations be conducted to protect rights of all parties involved, suggesting the men's deaths are linked to narcotics distribution "carries serious implications, and conclusions must be drawn from facts, not assumptions."
Glenn, who has practiced law for 21 years, said the significant delay in releasing autopsy, toxicology, and police reports suggests a thorough investigation is underway.
"However, the right of the deceased's families to receive answers and closure should not be neglected," Glenn said. "Withholding this information for nine months appears to be an unusually lengthy delay which warrants an explanation to these families and the public."
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (982)
Related
- Taylor Swift Becomes Auntie Tay In Sweet Photo With Fellow Chiefs WAG Chariah Gordon's Daughter
- Oregon Gov. signs bill reintroducing criminal penalties for drug possession: What to know
- Teachers in Iowa district that had school shooting can get retention bonus next year under new bill
- Finland school shooting by 12-year-old leaves 1 student dead and wounds 2 others, all also 12, police say
- Judith Jamison, acclaimed Alvin Ailey American dancer and director, dead at 81
- House Republicans launch longshot effort to rename Dulles Airport to honor Donald Trump
- LSU settles lawsuit with 10 women over mishandled sexual assault cases involving athletes
- Final three defendants plead guilty in Minnesota murder case taken away from local prosecutor
- Jared Goff stats: Lions QB throws career-high 5 INTs in SNF win over Texans
- Ye, formerly Kanye West, accused of 'spreading antisemitism' at Donda Academy in new lawsuit
Ranking
- Mississippi man charged with shooting 5 people after not being allowed into party
- The Daily Money: Costco expands to weight-loss management
- 'Kia Boys' flee police in Washington before crashing, chopper footage shows
- Lawmakers in GOP-led Nebraska debate bill to raise sales tax
- The Daily Money: Mattel's 'Wicked' mistake
- Shannen Doherty is getting rid of her possessions amid breast cancer journey
- The Force Is With Megan Fox as She Unveils Jedi Hair Transformation
- The Real Reason Paris Hilton and Carter Reum Don't Share Photos of Baby Girl London
Recommendation
-
Who will save Florida athletics? Gators need fixing, and it doesn't stop at Billy Napier
-
Democrats eye Florida’s abortion vote as chance to flip the state. History says it’ll be a challenge
-
Why Amazon is ditching Just Walk Out checkouts at grocery stores
-
Mega Millions winning numbers in April 2 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $67 million
-
Steelers shoot for the moon ball, but will offense hold up or wilt in brutal final stretch?
-
Many eligible North Carolina school voucher applicants won’t get awards
-
Video shows California deputies fatally shooting abducted teen as she runs toward them
-
Mother of boy found dead in suitcase in southern Indiana ordered held without bond