In a surprising development more than a year after the deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans, Jordan Willis, 39, has been charged with murder. The charges stem from the deaths of Clayton McGeeney, David Harrington, and Ricky Johnson—three longtime friends—who were found dead in the backyard of Willis’s rental home after a Kansas City Chiefs football watch party in January 2024. The case has raised questions, especially as Willis and his co-defendant, Ivory “Blade” Carson, are now facing second-degree felony murder charges despite initially only being accused of drug distribution.
What Happened in January 2024?
The incident occurred on January 7, 2024, when McGeeney, Harrington, and Johnson attended a football watch party at Willis’s rental home in Kansas City, Missouri. After the game, they failed to return home, which led to growing concern among their loved ones.
The Discovery: On January 9, two days after the men were last seen, McGeeney’s fiancée forced her way into the rental home. She discovered the bodies of the three men unresponsive in the backyard.
Cause of Death: According to official reports, the victims died from a combination of fentanyl and cocaine toxicity, highlighting the role of drugs in their tragic deaths.
The Legal Charges
Willis and Carson initially faced only drug distribution charges. However, the case took a more serious turn when Platte County prosecutors filed amended charges on June 27, 2025, leading to three counts of second-degree felony murder against the two men.
Felony Murder Law: Missouri law allows charges of felony murder when a death occurs during the commission of a separate felony, such as drug distribution. Prosecutors allege that Willis provided the fatal drugs that killed the three men, and that Carson was involved in supplying additional substances leading up to the deaths.
Willis’s Attorney’s Defense: Willis’s attorney, John Picerno, has argued that the use of felony murder charges in this case is unusual, stating that in his 30 years of experience, he has never seen the law applied in this manner. Willis’s defense maintains that he was not responsible for the deaths and rejected a plea deal that would have capped his sentence at 10 years.
The Strain on Willis’s Legal Situation
Separate Trials: Willis’s attorney plans to file a motion to separate Willis’s trial from Carson’s, claiming that evidence against Carson should not be used to implicate Willis. Picerno expressed his belief that Willis’s case was reclassified as a homicide due to public pressure, particularly from the families of the victims, who were demanding justice.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits: In addition to the criminal charges, Willis is also facing four wrongful death lawsuits related to the deaths of the three men. These lawsuits have now been consolidated into a single legal proceeding. One of the lawsuits was filed by the mother of one of the victims’ child, adding an emotional dimension to the legal battle.
Public and Family Reactions
The charges against Willis have taken his family and the public by surprise. According to an anonymous family member, the entire situation has been “insane and shocking.” The family member expressed disbelief that Willis is facing the same murder charges as someone who may be accused of drug dealing, suggesting that the charges are unjust.
Willis’s Family: A family member stated that Willis remains hopeful that the truth will come out, despite the stressful time he is facing. “He is doing the best he can under the circumstances,” they said, further emphasizing the emotional toll the case has taken on him.
A Complicated Case
Unsolved Drug-Related Deaths: While Willis and Carson are facing criminal charges, the full scope of what happened at Willis’s rental home remains unclear. Investigators are still piecing together how the three men came to consume the drugs, and whether they were aware of the risks involved in taking fentanyl and cocaine together.
Potential Role of Drug Distribution: Authorities have focused on the possibility that the deaths were the result of a drug deal gone wrong. If drug distribution played a role in the deaths, the charges against Willis and Carson could carry severe penalties, including significant prison sentences.
The case of Jordan Willis and Ivory Carson has become a complex legal and emotional ordeal, with multiple layers of legal charges, wrongful death lawsuits, and public scrutiny. As the criminal investigation and lawsuits unfold, the families of the victims continue to demand justice for the tragic deaths of Clayton McGeeney, David Harrington, and Ricky Johnson. For Willis, the road ahead remains uncertain, and his family is left grappling with the fallout from the charges.
