Authorities also announced the arrests of Jordan Willis, the trio’s friend, and Ivory Carson on charges of involuntary manslaughter and supplying drugs
The causes of death have been revealed for three Kansas City Chiefs fans who were found dead in the backyard of their friend’s home in January 2024.
A forensic exam determined David Harrington, 37, Clayton McGeeney, 36, and Ricky Johnson, 38, “all died of Fentanyl and cocaine combined toxicity,” Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd said during a press conference.
Authorities also announced the arrests of two suspects in connection with the case on Wednesday, March 5.
The men were visiting their friend Jordan Willis’ rental home in Kansas City, Mo., to watch the Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers on Jan. 7, 2024. Two days later, the trio was found dead in the backyard. Throughout the investigation, police repeatedly said “no foul play” had been “observed or suspected.”
Early toxicology reports reportedly indicated the men had cocaine and fentanyl in their systems, WDAF and TMZ, reported in February 2024, citing sources. However, police reiterated that the case remained an “ongoing death investigation.”
Zahnd said this week that while searching the home after the incident, police found two plastic bags containing “white powdery substances.” After being tested by police, one of the bags came back positive for cocaine.
Willis is now one of two people accused of supplying the drugs that led to the trio’s death. Willis and Ivory Carson, were each charged with “distribution of a controlled substance and three counts of involuntary manslaughter,” Zahnd said. Both are being held on $100,000 cash bond, according to the Associated Press. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
David Harrington, Clayton McGeeney and Ricky Johnson. Ricky Johnson/Facebook
“The probable cause statement alleges that Mr. Willis was determined to be the major contributor of DNA found on that bag,” Zahnd said. “The other bag contained fentanyl and the probable cause statement alleges that Mr. Carson was determined to be the major contributor of DNA on that bag.”
One witness claimed to prosecutors that he was with the three friends at Willis’ rental home that night, “where they drank, smoked marijuana and used cocaine. That witness left shortly before midnight,” Zahn said. Another witness claimed that before heading to Willis’ rental home, he saw a “large plate of cocaine allegedly supplied by Mr. Willis that everyone was using” at Harrington’s home.
Willis’ attorney, John Picerno, previously denied his client’s involvement in the case, telling PEOPLE in January 2024 that Willis was “unaware of how his friends died,” and he was “anxiously awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology report.”
After the news of the arrests, Picerno told KCTV, “Jordan maintains that he is not responsible for purchasing or supplying the drugs that led to the deaths of his three friends. We are very much looking forward to the day a jury gets to hear all of the evidence in this case.”