Minnesota Father Convicted of Murdering Son, Whose Remains Were Found in Landfill

A Minnesota man has been convicted of killing his teenage son, whose remains were discovered in a landfill after he disappeared in May 2025. Jordan Dupree Collins Sr. was found guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday for the death of his 16-year-old son, Jordan "Manny" Collins.

Manny Collins was last heard from by his mother and girlfriend in the early morning hours of May 8, 2025. His father told police the teen had left his Columbia Heights apartment that afternoon to visit his girlfriend and grandmother in St. Paul. However, the girlfriend stated that Manny had not indicated he would be visiting her.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for Collins' apartment on May 15, 2025, where they discovered garbage bags containing items with apparent bloodstaining in a living room closet. DNA testing later confirmed the blood belonged to Manny Collins.

Following surveillance footage showing a garbage truck emptying a dumpster behind Collins' apartment, law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, began an extensive search of an Elk River landfill in early June 2025. The search concluded on June 28, 2025, with the recovery of Manny's body from the landfill. An autopsy indicated the teen was likely decapitated with a knife.

Collins was arrested on July 7, 2025, and has remained in custody. He represented himself during the trial and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2026.

Manny's mother, Ashley Berry, described her son as someone who was "always helping others, spreading kindness, and lifting up those around him." Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise stated, "No verdict can remove the pain his loved ones feel, but we hope this decision provides some measure of justice. Our thoughts remain with Manny’s family, especially his mother, Ashley, as they continue to grieve and remember him."