Anoka County Mother's Anguished Appeal For Missing Son As Police Suspect Foul Play

Anoka County Mother's Anguished Appeal For Missing Son As Police Suspect Foul Play

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN – May 29, 2025 – An Anoka County mother, Ashley Berry, issued a desperate and emotional plea on Wednesday for the safe return of her 16-year-old son, Jordan "Manny" Dupree Collins Jr., who has been missing since May 8, 2025. Authorities, including the Anoka County Sheriff's Office and the Columbia Heights Police Department, now believe Manny's disappearance was "against his will" and are urgently seeking answers.

Manny was last seen near the 4900 block of University Avenue Northeast in Columbia Heights. He was reportedly staying with his father at an apartment in the area since mid-April, with plans to return to his mother's home in June. The apartment building where he was staying has since been marked as a crime scene by investigators.

"If somebody knows something, if you have a soul, if you have a heart, please just say something," a visibly distraught Ashley Berry implored during a press conference held May 28, flanked by family and law enforcement. "It's like a nightmare I can't wake up from. I just know he's not lost. Wherever he is, he's somewhere that he doesn't want to be."

Manny is described as a Black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white ribbed tank top and red and black plaid pants.

According to his mother, Manny typically maintained daily contact, but his phone has been off since May 11, when it briefly pinged on Mother's Day. He has not accessed his CashApp allowance, and there has been no social media activity, which authorities find highly uncharacteristic for a teenager.

Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise stated at the press conference, "We believe his disappearance is against his will. We fear worse." He confirmed that investigators have identified a "person of interest" in the case, though no arrests have been made and the individual was not publicly named. "Sixteen-year-olds don't just disconnect the way Manny did via social media," Wise added, underscoring the serious concerns held by law enforcement.

Columbia Heights Police Chief Matt Markham confirmed that multiple individuals have been interviewed and forensic evidence has been collected and is being processed. The investigation is a collaborative effort involving the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the FBI, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Northstar Search and Rescue.

In a direct message to her son, Berry said, "Manny, if you're looking at this, if you're somewhere that you're capable of listening to this or you see me, just know that I love you, and you know how much I'm worried. And you are loved. You got a lot of people looking for you."

Authorities are urging anyone who resides or works near the 4900 block of University Avenue Northeast to check their property for any suspicious items and to review home or business surveillance footage captured between May 8 and May 12 for any signs of Manny or unusual activity.

Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr. is urged to contact the BCA Resource Line at 1-877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us. Videos and photos can also be submitted to an evidence portal accessible through the Anoka County Sheriff's Office website.

The family and law enforcement are holding onto hope that public assistance will bring critical information to light and help bring Manny home safely.

MinneapoliMedia