Father files lawsuit after deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans in 2024
A family member of one of three Kansas City Chiefs football fans found dead last year outside a Missouri home have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in connection to the case.
The civil suit comes on the heels of charges being filed against two men after Ricky Johnson, David Harrington and Clayton McGeeney died Jan. 7, 2024, outside their long-time friend's suburban Kansas City home where they gathered to watch an NFL game.
Prosecutors last Wednesday charged Jordan Willis, 39, and Ivory Carson, 42, with distribution of a controlled substance and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Johnson, 38, Harrington, 37, and McGeeney, 36, who died last year at a home that Willis rented, according to a statement of probable cause filed by the Kansas City Police Department.
The case attracted national attention as the cause of fans' deaths were shrouded in mystery. Court records said Wednesday that the men died from toxic effects of fentanyl and cocaine.
The 11-page lawsuit was filed Friday in Platte County Circuit Court by Jon Harrington.
The lawsuit claims Willis and Carson "knew, or through the use of a reasonable degree of care, should have known of the presence of the fentanyl and the dangers and hazards that it posed including the possibility of being lethal to anyone that might ingest it."
'He is not responsible'
Willis' Kansas City-based lawyer, John Picerno, stressed his client's innocence in a statement to Paste BN last week.
"Jordan maintains that he is not responsible for purchasing or supplying the drugs that led to led to the deaths of his three friends," Picerno said.
Picerno previously told Paste BN that Willis is a 38-year-old scientist who lives alone and works remotely for a New York hospital. He has since moved from the home he rented, Picerno said.
Picerno previously told Paste BN his client had nothing to do with the deaths.
"He had no knowledge they remained in his backyard or that they needed medical attention," Picerno said. "Had he known, he certainly would have called for help."
Mens' bodies found outside after freezing temperatures
According to Kansas City police, officers discovered the bodies two days after the men met to watch a Chiefs game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
On the night of the game, temperatures dipped to 29 degrees, the National Weather Service reported.
Some 48 hours later, police reported, officers received a call from McGeeney’s fiancé, who said she visited the home after not hearing from him. When no one answered the door, she broke inside and found a dead body in the back of the property. When officers arrived, they also found two other men dead in the backyard.
The suit seeks a jury trial as well as damages of more than $25,000 from each defendant.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for Paste BN. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.