A shocking discovery has left a Minnesota community devastated after the body of a missing 16-year-old boy, Jordan Collins Jr., was found in a landfill in Elk River. The teen, affectionately known as “Manny,” had been missing for nearly two months. Authorities now suspect his father, 38-year-old Jordan Dupree Collins Sr., to be behind the gruesome act.
Jordan Jr. was last seen alive on May 8 while staying with his father in Columbia Heights. His mother lost contact with him soon after, and reported him missing on May 12. As days passed, fears grew over the teen’s wellbeing.
Investigators began combing through surveillance footage and evidence collected from Collins Sr.’s home. A search conducted on May 11 led to disturbing findings, including blood-stained items, missing pieces of mattress and carpet, and multiple hunting-style knives hidden in a bedroom closet.
The father claimed his son left to visit his grandmother and girlfriend, although the latter said they never made such plans. He also alleged that the knives were for butchering goats and sheep.
On June 28, following a lead from surveillance footage, authorities shifted their search to a landfill in Elk River, about 30 minutes from where the boy went missing. Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise stated that the video footage suggested the teen’s body may have been disposed of via dumpster and garbage truck.
Over 30 agencies joined forces in the intensive landfill search, covering an estimated 180,000 cubic feet of trash. After nearly 10,000 hours of searching, Jordan Jr.’s body was finally recovered. The discovery confirmed the community’s worst fears.
Six days after the body was found, Collins Sr. was arrested and later charged with second-degree murder. A criminal complaint revealed gruesome details, indicating possible decapitation by knife. Forensic testing later confirmed that blood found in the apartment matched Jordan Jr.’s DNA.
The suspect remains in custody at Anoka County Jail with bond set at $3 million. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 4.
Ashley Berry, the teen’s mother, had expressed deep concern during interviews before the body was found. Speaking to KMSP in June, she admitted she no longer believed her son was alive. “As hard as it is for me to say that, I don’t think he is,” she said.
Before the tragic confirmation, Berry organized a GoFundMe campaign, detailing how her life had been consumed by the search for her son. “My heart is breaking, but I refuse to stop looking,” she wrote.
At this time, no clear motive has been publicly identified. The investigation remains ongoing as the community mourns the loss of a young life taken too soon.
