MN JORDAN "MANNY" COLLINS: Missing from Twin Cities, MN - 8 May 2025 - Age 16 *Found Deceased*

Officials believe Twin Cities boy's disappearance to be "against his will," person of interest established

Law enforcement officials say they believe 16-year-old Jordan Dupree Collins Jr., who went missing earlier this month in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, was taken "against his will," and a person of interest has been established.

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Officials believe Twin Cities boy's disappearance to be "against his will," person of interest established​

Law enforcement officials say they believe 16-year-old Jordan Dupree Collins Jr., who went missing weeks ago in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, was taken "against his will," and a person of interest has been established.

In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon held with Collins' family, Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise says he doesn't think this is a case of a teenager running away.

"We believe his disappearance is against his will. We fear worse," Wise said.

He didn't identify the person of interest, but noted no one is in custody and no criminal charges have been filed.

Wise says since Collins' disappearance, his cellphone has only been turned on once for three minutes. He hasn't talked to any family members or his girlfriend, and he hasn't logged onto social media. His mother, Ashley Berry, says her son also hasn't claimed his allowance through CashApp.

Berry held hands with other family members at the press conference before making a painful plea to find her child.

"If you have a soul, if you have a heart, just say something, please," Berry said. "I just know he's not lost. Wherever he is, he's somewhere that he doesn't want to be."

Collins — who is commonly known by the nickname, Manny — was last seen on May 8 near the 4900 block of University Avenue Northeast.


"Multiple individuals have been interviewed, and forensic evidence has been collected and is being processed," Wise said in a statement released after the press conference. "Coordinated searches have been conducted at parks and in the neighborhood."

Business owners and residents with surveillance cameras in the area are asked to review footage captured between May 8 and May 12, and submit photos and videos if they spot Collins or anything suspicious.

Wise says his office and police are being assisted in this case by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the FBI, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Northstar Search and Rescue — adding the agencies are "using all available resources to locate Manny."

"The family and law enforcement believe that somebody knows something," Wise said.


Media - JORDAN "MANNY" COLLINS: Missing from Twin Cities, MN - 8 May 2025 - Age 16

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Mother of Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr. honors him 1 year after his death by giving back

It has been a year of ups and downs for Ashley Berry, the mother of Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr., as she attempts to deal with the loss of her only child. One year after his death, she's focused on the good her son brought to the world.

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Mother of Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr. honors him 1 year after his death by giving back​

The search for a missing 16-year-old ended at a landfill in Elk River, Minnesota, one year ago.

Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr. had gone missing from his dad's house in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Manny Collins' dad, Jordan Collins Sr. is accused of killing him.

Now, Manny's mom is focused on the good her son brought to this world.

"Oh yeah it's hard. It's hard," said Ashley Berry, Manny Collins' mom.

It has been a year of ups and downs for Berry as she attempts to deal with the loss of her only child.

"Manny had many birthdays here. This is one of his favorite spots," said Berry while at Macarron Park in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The park is a place Berry comes for comfort. It's where she began holding events in honor of Manny Collins, in support of the Manny's Way Foundation.

"It's about keeping Manny's name alive and giving me a purpose as well to keep going while Manny was here. He liked helping people. We talked about passing out food and he liked to give out his old clothing, so I'd like to keep it going," said Berry.

With the help of family, friends and community members who want to honor Manny Collins' memory, Berry has passed out gently used clothes and food to those in need in her Frogtown neighborhood in St. Paul.

"I found a lot of ways to cope, and all the support makes it easier, but it's still hard, especially dealing with the trial," said Berry.

Berry is preparing herself mentally for the trial, where Jordan Collins Sr. will represent himself.