Manny Collins' father faces trial after teen's remains found in landfill

ANOKA, Minn. (FOX 9) - Jury selection is set to begin Thursday in the murder trial of a Columbia Heights father accused of killing his 16-year-old son, Manny Collins, whose remains were found in an Elk River landfill last summer.

Trial begins with jury selection 

What we know:

Jordan Collins Sr. is charged with one count of second-degree murder in the death of his son, Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr.

Manny's mother reported the teen missing in May 2025 and authorities and volunteers searched for weeks in hopes of bringing the teen home. Ultimately, his remains were found in the Elk River landfill. Court documents do not reveal a possible motive for the killing.

The trial is expected to last approximately four weeks, with more than 90 witnesses who could potentially be called to testify. Collins has asked to represent himself during the trial. 

Jury selection is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday in Anoka. 

Timeline of case

The backstory:

According to court records, after the missing person report was made by Manny's mother, investigators searched the Collins home in Columbia Heights in May.

Speaking with police, the father said Manny had left the home on May 8, planning to take a bus to visit his grandmother and girlfriend in St. Paul. Manny never showed up at either location.

In the home, investigators found items stained with what appeared to be blood in garbage bags, butcher and hunting knives in a bedroom closet, and pieces of carpet and mattress were missing. After the search, authorities say Jordan Collins Sr. stopped speaking with police. DNA from the blood stains later matched Manny Collins' DNA, according to court records.

As FOX 9 previously reported, surveillance video led investigators to search the landfill in Elk River. Manny Collins' body was discovered at the landfill weeks later. An autopsy later determined Collins died by homicide. The criminal complaint states that the autopsy "findings indicate evidence of decapitation."

Timeline:

Here is a timeline of Collins' disappearance:

• May 8: Collins was last seen near the area of the 4900 block of University Avenue Northeast in Columbia Heights. Collins' mother reported she last heard from her son in a text at around 4 a.m.
• May 12: A missing persons report was filed.
• May 28: The Anoka County Sheriff's Office and Columbia Heights Police Department hold a joint news conference with Manny Collins family, begging for answers. Police said they feared Manny was being held against his will.
• May 29: Manny's uncle spoke with FOX 9 about his disappearance. Watch the interview here.
• June 2: Authorities provide an update about the investigation into Collins' disappearance, saying they have interviewed additional people and have followed up on leads, though details were vague.
• June 4: Authorities first started searching the Elk River landfill. Ashley Berry, the mother of Collins, sat down with FOX 9's Karen Scullin to make a plea for answers in his disappearance.
• June 5: The Anoka County Sheriff's Office asked residents in the area where he was last seen to check their property for any suspicious items. Residents and businesses in the area were also asked to check their security footage for any sightings of Collins, or anything that might be suspicious.
• June 6: Authorities search the Waste Management Landfill in Elk River in connection with Collins' disappearance.
• June 28: Human remains were recovered.
• June 30: DNA testing came back as a match for the missing 16-year-old.
• July 1: Law enforcement announced the death of Collins and provided an update on the investigation.
• July 7: The father of Manny Collins is arrested on probable cause murder.
• July 9: Formal charges are filed against Jordan Collins Sr.

Crime and Public SafetyAnoka