Jordan Dupree Collins Sr. has been found guilty in the killing of his 16-year-old son, Jordan “Manny” Collins Jr., bringing a verdict to a case that began with the teenager’s disappearance and ended with a lengthy search through a Minnesota landfill.
An Anoka County jury returned the second-degree intentional murder verdict Wednesday after about three and a half hours of deliberation. Collins Sr., who represented himself during the trial with an advisory attorney, now faces sentencing in December.
The case has drawn significant attention in Columbia Heights and surrounding communities since Manny was reported missing in May 2025. His remains were eventually recovered from an Elk River landfill after investigators traced garbage from the area of his father’s apartment using GPS information from Waste Management.
What happened to Manny Collins
Manny was last known to be alive on May 8, 2025. At the time, he had been living with his father in Columbia Heights. His mother, Ashley Berry, testified during the trial that Manny was staying with Collins Sr. because he had been having difficulties at school, and she believed his father could help him with his math work.
When Manny stopped communicating with family and friends, concerns quickly grew. His disappearance led to an extensive search involving law enforcement and members of the community.
Investigators eventually turned their attention to a landfill in Elk River. The search there led to the discovery of human remains in late June 2025, and DNA testing confirmed that the remains belonged to Manny.
The investigation later became a homicide case against his father.
Evidence presented during the trial
During the three-week trial, prosecutors presented testimony from dozens of witnesses and introduced evidence from Collins Sr.’s apartment.
Investigators found blood evidence inside the apartment that was later matched to Manny’s DNA. Prosecutors also presented evidence involving bedding, a pillowcase and other areas of the apartment. Expert testimony described the injuries that led to Manny’s death.
The prosecution argued that Manny was killed inside the apartment before his remains were disposed of. Earlier court filings had also described knives recovered from the residence and blood evidence connected to the teenager.
The landfill search became one of the key parts of the investigation. Authorities used location information connected to garbage collection to narrow down where material from the apartment had been taken, eventually leading investigators to Manny’s remains.
Collins maintained his defense
Collins Sr. represented himself in court and challenged the prosecution’s evidence during the trial.
In closing arguments, he questioned whether investigators had collected every piece of potentially relevant evidence and argued that the experts could not establish who was responsible for Manny’s death.
The defense also raised questions about reported sightings and the investigation itself. Despite those arguments, the jury ultimately found Collins Sr. guilty of second-degree intentional murder.
The trial included several emotional moments. At one point, a spectator was removed from the courtroom following an angry outburst directed at Collins Sr., prompting the judge to warn that further disruptions could affect the proceedings.
Manny’s family still wants answers
For Ashley Berry, the guilty verdict brought some measure of relief, but it did not resolve every question surrounding her son’s death.
After the verdict, Berry said she still wanted to understand why Manny was killed, acknowledging that the motive may never become clear.
Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson also addressed the impact of the case after the conviction, saying the death of a child had deeply affected the community and those who worked on the investigation.
Manny’s family, friends and supporters had remained involved throughout the search and trial. His mother has also worked to honor his memory and preserve the positive impact she says he had on people around him.
Sentencing scheduled for December
Following the guilty verdict, the judge asked jurors to answer additional questions about circumstances surrounding the case, including whether Collins concealed Manny’s body and whether his actions caused particular anguish to the family. Those findings will be considered as the court moves toward sentencing.
Collins Sr. is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 in Anoka County. He remains in custody without bail.
For Manny Collins’ family, the conviction closes one major chapter in a case that began with a missing-child search more than a year ago. The sentencing hearing will give the family another opportunity to speak about the loss and its lasting impact.
