Columbia Heights teen found deceased weeks after he went missing

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A teenager missing for about seven weeks was found deceased over the weekend, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

Public safety officials found a body Saturday afternoon, and DNA testing confirmed it was 16-year-old Jordan “Manny” Collins Jr., of Columbia Heights. Collins was last seen May 8 near the 4900 block of University Avenue in Columbia Heights.

Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise said video evidence led authorities to believe Collins’ body went from a dumpster in Columbia Heights to the Elk River Landfill.

They began checking the landfill June 4, and the FBI brought in landfill search experts from Virginia to help coordinate the investigation. After nearly four weeks of searching, Collins’ body was found at the waste management facility.

The circumstances of Collins’ death remain under investigation. Law enforcement has identified a person of interest in the case, but has not publicly identified that person. No one has been arrested or charged.

“We are going to continue to work until we are able to seek justice for Manny’s mom,” Wise said.

If people have information about Collins or his habits in the past several months, Wise asked them to contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tip line at 877-996-6222 or bca.tips@state.mn.us.

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