Manny Collins search: Human remains ID'd as missing teen; video led to landfill search

ANDOVER, Minn. (FOX 9) - Human remains discovered in the Elk River landfill over the weekend have been identified by authorities as missing Columbia Heights teen Manny Collins.

During the investigation, law enforcement received information that led them to a video which reportedly showed evidence suggesting the body might have made its way into a dumpster then hauled away by a garbage truck, leading them to search the landfill. 

Human remains found in Elk River landfill

What they're saying:

"It is with heavy hearts the Columbia Heights Police Department and Anoka County Sheriff’s Office announce that human remains were located over the weekend. After further testing, the remains were identified as Jordan (Manny) Collins, Jr. We wish to express our condolences to his mother, family, and loved ones during this tragic time," the Anoka County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday morning.

Authorities discovered the human remains of Collins in the landfill. The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy, but a cause of death has not yet been determined pending further testing. 

Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise said they are waiting for forensic testing to come back, but law enforcement are working with the Anoka County Attorney's Office to determine potential charges. 

There's a person of interest in the case, but authorities have not publicly identified them. 

The Minnesota BCA, FBI, Anoka County Sheriff's Office and Columbia Heights Police Department are continuing to investigate Collins' death. 

Video led to search of landfill 

Video uncovered:

During a press conference on Tuesday, Sheriff Wise revealed they focused on the landfill after obtaining a video which reportedly showed evidence suggesting the body might have ended up in a dumpster then hauled away by a garbage truck. Law enforcement were able to backtrack the garbage truck to May 13, just days after Collins was last seen. 

"The investigation led law enforcement to search the Waste Management Landfill in Elk River beginning on June 4, 2025. While conducting a landfill search this past weekend, a human body was located," said Columbia Heights police chief Matt Markham. 

Officials did not provide further details about what the video contained or where it came from, but said the dumpster was located in Columbia Heights.

Searching the landfill:

The search was narrowed to a specific section of landfill, described as roughly the size of a football field and covered in four feet of compacted trash. 

The process has been labor intensive, with hundreds of searchers from more than 30 agencies contributing to nearly 10,000 hours of work. The sheriff said crews load debris into trucks, spread it out, and search through it by hand with rakes. 

"I assure you it's a sobering experience to work in a landfill like that, only to discover someone else's child," said Sheriff Wise. 

After four weeks of searching, teams remain at the landfill looking for additional evidence.

Manny Collins disappearance - Timeline 

The backstory:

Collins was last seen on May 8 in the area of University Avenue and 49th Avenue Northeast in Columbia Heights. At the time of his disappearance, he was staying with his father.

Deputies have said Collins was likely missing against his will, and they have a person of interest in the case but declined to identify them. Collins' mother says the teen's father was the last person to see him alive and hasn't cooperated with the investigation. 

Timeline:

Here are the key dates authorities have mentioned so far in the search for Collins. 

• 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 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.

What you can do:

Anyone with information about the disappearance and death of Manny, or his habits in the past several months, is encouraged to contact the BCA resource line at 1-877-996-6222 or bca.tips@state.mn.us. 

Crime and Public SafetyColumbia HeightsAnoka County