Three fans of the Kansas City Chiefs were discovered deceased due to exposure to extreme cold outside a residence owned by their acquaintance, who asserts unawareness of their presence.
The Kansas City Police Department, conducting an inquiry into the matter, has declared that there are no indications of foul play in the demise of 38-year-old Ricky Johnson, 36-year-old Clayton McGeeney, and 37-year-old David Harrington.
As reported by Fox News, the three individuals had gathered at a friend’s house on the night of January 7 to watch the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
On January 9 at 9:51 PM, the lifeless bodies of the men were found following a welfare check requested by one man’s fiancée. One body was located on the back porch of the residence, while the other two were discovered in the backyard, having succumbed to the harsh effects of the extreme cold.
Captain Jake Becchina of the Kansas City Police Department stressed that the investigation is unequivocally not focused on a homicide.
He further remarked, “No arrests or charges have been made, and there is no one currently in custody. The occupant of the residence cooperated fully with detectives on the day the deceased individuals were found.”
Captain Becchina anticipates that toxicology reports, which are expected in the coming weeks, will shed light on whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the men’s deaths, although their involvement remains uncertain at this point.
Suzanne Reichart, a neighbor, conveyed her astonishment at the tragic incident, commenting, “It’s quite unsettling because I was completely unaware. Despite being at home most of the time, I didn’t hear anything. It’s disconcerting and leaves you questioning what might be happening.”
The family and friends of the deceased have turned to social media, seeking answers and raising concerns about the homeowner’s actions. Despite claims that messages were sent to the homeowner prior to police intervention, the individual remains unnamed as no criminal charges have been filed at this time.
John Picerno, the attorney representing the homeowner, countered allegations asserting that his client was aware of the critical situation. In a statement released to FOX 4, Picerno declared, “He had no knowledge that they remained in his backyard or that they needed medical attention.”
The attorney elaborated further, explaining that the homeowner did not hear the two individuals who came looking for the men at his house because he was asleep with headphones on and a loud fan running.
Picerno acknowledged that one of the men’s wives had contacted the homeowner through Facebook Messenger. However, he asserts that the message went unnoticed until after police intervention. Despite the presence of two friends’ cars parked on the street outside the house, Picerno maintains that “it would not be unusual for his friends to have left their cars there overnight.”
Temperatures reportedly dropped to -4 degrees Fahrenheit before the game. Credit: Icon Sportswire/Getty
Picerno informed The Kansas City Star, stating, “[The homeowner] is unaware of how his friends died. Like the rest of us, [the homeowner] is anxiously awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology report… On behalf of [the homeowner] and his family, we wish to express our deepest sympathies to the friends and family members of these young men, and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
