An Anoka County jury has convicted 39-year-old Jordan Collins Sr. of second-degree murder. The conviction is for the killing and dismemberment of his 16-year-old son, Jordan “Manny” Collins Jr. The verdict was delivered Wednesday afternoon. It followed about three and a half hours of jury deliberations and a rigorous three-week trial.
Collins chose to represent himself during the court proceedings. He maintained a plea of not guilty. After the verdict, the jury answered 10 supplementary factual questions. These answers help the court determine sentencing severity. Collins faces up to 40 years in state prison. His formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 2.
The Disappearance and Investigation
The case began when Manny Collins was reported missing by his mother, Ashley Berry. Manny normally lived with his mother in St. Paul. At the time, he was temporarily staying with his father in Columbia Heights to get help with his schoolwork. He was last seen alive on May 8, 2025.
During the investigation, law enforcement faced resistance from the defendant. Collins did not cooperate with missing persons efforts. Investigators used surveillance footage and municipal waste tracking data instead. They mapped the path of garbage collected from the dumpster outside the father’s apartment building. This technological trail led search teams to the Waste Management landfill in Elk River.
Crews searched the Elk River facility intensively starting in early June. On June 28, search teams recovered human remains. DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to the missing teenager. An autopsy showed that the victim suffered a violent death. The report included evidence of decapitation and sharp-force trauma.
Courtroom Proceedings and Prosecution Evidence
During the trial, prosecutors presented extensive forensic evidence tying Collins Sr. to the crime. Laboratory analysis found Manny’s blood on the flooring and bedding inside the father’s apartment. Authorities also seized multiple knives from the residence.
Collins chose to handle his own defense. He delivered a brief opening statement and called a small number of witnesses. His defense focused mainly on constitutional arguments instead of contesting the state’s physical evidence. He did not take the stand in his own defense.
Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson praised the collective efforts of local law enforcement. This included the Columbia Heights Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, for their exhaustive work on the investigation.
“Like many others who worked on this case, I took Manny’s death and discovery as a personal loss. None of us should outlive our children. But to have a child – a child in our community – taken from us in this way is simply unconscionable,” Johnson stated following the verdict.
Family and Community Impact
The courtroom gallery reacted with audible relief and emotion from Manny’s family when the guilty verdict was read. Speaking outside the courtroom, Ashley Berry reflected on the painful ordeal. She remembered her son as a strong, resilient, and protective young man with a deep capacity for kindness.
The verdict brings a measure of legal accountability. However, Berry noted that a clear motive for the tragedy may never be fully understood. Community members and local officials continue to support the family as they navigate the aftermath of the case.
Jordan Collins Sr. remains held without bail at the Anoka County Jail. He awaits his scheduled sentencing before the judge on December 2.
