The remains of Jordan Dupree Collins Jr., a 16-year-old Minnesota teenager who vanished on May 8, 2025, were discovered at a Waste Management Landfill in Elk River on Saturday, June 28, following nearly a month of intensive searching by authorities. The teen, known by his nickname “Manny,” was last seen near the 4900 block of University Avenue Northeast in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise indicated that the search shifted to the landfill on June 4 after authorities received information leading to video evidence suggesting Collins’ body may have been placed in a dumpster and transported by garbage truck. The remains originated from a dumpster in Columbia Heights, with authorities estimating Collins died between May 8 and May 13.
An autopsy has been completed, but Collins’ cause of death remains undetermined, according to Columbia Heights Police Chief Matt Markham. The investigation involved hundreds of searchers from over 30 different agencies who combed through a landfill section the size of a football field, approximately four feet deep. Waste Management’s geofencing technology helped authorities identify the specific area to search.
Collins had been living with his father at an apartment building since mid-April 2025, with plans to return to his mother, Ashley Berry, in June. Berry became concerned when her son failed to maintain his typical daily communication pattern. Collins had not accessed his social media accounts, claimed his allowance through CashApp, or contacted family members or his girlfriend. His cellphone was turned on only once for three minutes during his disappearance.
Law enforcement officials characterized Collins’ disappearance as involuntary from early in the investigation. Wise stated during a May 29 press conference that authorities believed the teenager’s disappearance was against his will and feared the worst. The FBI joined the investigation on July 1, deploying their Evidence Response Team, Laboratory Evidence Response Team Unit, and Technical Hazardous Response Unit from Quantico, Virginia.
Multiple agencies participated in the investigation, including the Columbia Heights Police Department, Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Northstar Search and Rescue. Investigators conducted multiple witness interviews and collected forensic evidence from the scene. Crews returned to the landfill on July 2 to search for additional evidence connected to Collins’ death.
Authorities have identified a person of interest in the case but have not publicly named them or filed criminal charges. The investigation remains active, with officials emphasizing their commitment to pursuing justice. Business owners and residents in the area were asked to review surveillance footage from May 8 through May 12 and submit any relevant material to investigators.
Prior to the discovery of Collins’ remains, Berry had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to her son’s return. She spent weeks distributing flyers and conducting her own searches throughout the Twin Cities area. Berry expressed her desperation during the search, indicating she was running out of options and felt lost.
Collins was described as standing five feet eight inches tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white ribbed tank top with red and black plaid pants. The teenager had lived with his father since April 2025, and a neighbor reported that his father had not been at the apartment for weeks during the investigation period.
A vigil was held on July 3 in Columbia Heights, where dozens of community members gathered to mourn Collins and support his family. Red and blue balloons marked the location outside the apartment where Collins lived with his father. Berry expressed gratitude for the community support during the gathering, stating, “A million thank you to everybody, I wish I could send thank you cards to everybody.”
Collins’ great-grandmother, Mary Berry, indicated she would need to remain strong to support Ashley Berry through the difficult time. The family has requested continued prayers and community support as they seek justice for Collins’ death. The case has drawn significant public attention in Minnesota as an example of the dangers facing missing and exploited children.
Anyone with additional information about Collins’ death is asked to contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at 1-877-996-6222 or by email at bca.tips@state.mn.us. The investigation continues with local, state, and federal agencies working to ensure justice is served for Collins and his family.
