FATHER CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS 16-YEAR-OLD SON MANNY COLLINS AFTER MONTHS OF HEARTBREAK AND SEARCHING

A heartbreaking case that began with the disappearance of 16-year-old Jordan “Manny” Collins Jr. has reached a major turning point after his own father was convicted of murder.

On October 7, 2026, a jury found Jordan Dupree Collins Sr. guilty of second-degree intentional murder in the death of his teenage son, bringing a measure of accountability to a family that has endured months of unimaginable pain. Yet, even as the verdict was delivered, the devastating loss of a young life remained at the center of the case.

For Manny’s mother, Ashley Berry, the journey to this moment began with a nightmare no parent should ever have to experience: her child disappearing without answers, leaving her desperate to discover what had happened to the boy she loved.

Manny was reported missing in May 2025 after his family’s last known contact with him on May 8. What should have been ordinary days quickly turned into a frightening search as his loved ones waited for news, hoping that somewhere, somehow, the teenager would be found safe.

His disappearance left his family facing agonizing uncertainty. Every unanswered question brought more fear, and every passing day without information made it harder to hold on to the hope that Manny might still come home.

Ashley refused to stop searching for answers about her son. Authorities and volunteers worked to locate the missing teenager, while those closest to him were left struggling with the uncertainty surrounding his sudden disappearance.

For a mother, not knowing where her child is can become an unbearable kind of suffering. There is no clear ending, no opportunity to say goodbye, and no way to understand why someone who should be growing up and building a future has suddenly vanished.

Then, weeks after Manny was reported missing, investigators made a devastating discovery. His remains were found at a landfill, ending the search for the missing teenager but beginning an entirely different and painful chapter for his family.

The discovery confirmed the worst fear a parent could imagine. The desperate hope that Manny might still be alive was replaced by grief, shock, and the heartbreaking reality that the teenager would never return home.

What had begun as a missing-person investigation became a homicide case, with investigators working to establish what happened to Manny and determine who was responsible for his death. As evidence was gathered, attention turned toward his father, Jordan Dupree Collins Sr.

During the investigation, authorities uncovered evidence that became important to the prosecution’s case. Among the evidence presented at trial were bloodstains found inside Collins Sr.’s apartment that were linked to Manny through DNA testing.

That evidence formed part of the case presented to jurors as they considered the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. The trial would ultimately ask them to examine the evidence and decide whether the prosecution had proved the charge against Collins Sr. beyond a reasonable doubt.

Collins Sr. defended himself during a trial that lasted several weeks. Throughout the proceedings, jurors heard the case presented in court before withdrawing to deliberate over the evidence and reach a verdict.

After approximately three and a half hours of deliberation, the jury returned its decision on October 7, 2026. Collins Sr. was found guilty of second-degree intentional murder in the death of his 16-year-old son.

For Manny’s family, the verdict marked a significant moment in a long and painful search for answers. After months of uncertainty and a lengthy legal process, the jury had reached a decision that established criminal responsibility under the charge brought against his father.

But no courtroom verdict can undo what happened to Manny. It cannot restore the years he should have had, return the moments his family will never share with him, or erase the pain of knowing that his life ended when he was still so young.

At just 16, Manny should have been looking ahead to the experiences that shape a young person’s life. He should have had opportunities to discover his interests, strengthen friendships, pursue his dreams, and gradually find his place in the world.

Instead, his future was cut short, leaving his mother and loved ones to carry the weight of a loss that no family should have to endure. The legal proceedings may have reached a turning point, but grief does not follow a court schedule, and healing cannot be measured by the announcement of a verdict.

Ashley has spoken about her son’s kind heart, offering a glimpse of the young person behind the headlines and court proceedings. To those who loved Manny, he was more than a name in a murder case or a teenager whose disappearance drew an investigation.

He was a son whose life mattered, a young person with his own personality and place within his family, and someone whose absence has left a permanent void. His story is not defined solely by the circumstances of his death, but also by the love his family continues to hold for him.

For parents who have experienced the loss of a child, the pain can be difficult to put into words. Everyday reminders can bring back memories, while birthdays, family gatherings, and milestones that should have been celebrated together become painful reminders of the person who is missing.

For Ashley, the knowledge that the trial has concluded may provide some clarity about the legal outcome, but it cannot answer every emotional question left behind. The loss of a child changes a family forever, and the process of learning to live with that absence can continue long after the courtroom doors close.

Collins Sr.’s sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2026. That hearing will mark another important stage in the case, as the court determines the punishment following his conviction.

Until then, Manny’s family must continue navigating a reality they never wanted to face. They have endured the fear of his disappearance, the devastation of learning that he had died, and the emotional burden of following a case involving someone who was supposed to be part of their family.

The guilty verdict represents an important legal outcome, but it is only one part of a much larger story of loss. Behind the proceedings is a mother who wanted answers about her son, a teenager whose life ended far too soon, and loved ones who must now find a way forward without him.

Manny deserved the chance to grow older, make mistakes, discover who he wanted to become, and experience the many possibilities that should have awaited him. His family deserved the chance to watch him grow and celebrate the milestones that make up a lifetime.

Instead, they are left with memories, unanswered emotional questions, and the difficult task of finding strength in the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy. As the case moves toward sentencing, their hope for peace must exist alongside the grief that no verdict can take away.

May Ashley Berry and everyone who loved Manny find comfort in the memories they shared with him, strength in the days ahead, and peace as they continue to navigate this devastating loss.

Manny Collins was only 16 years old. His life mattered, his memory endures, and the love his family has for him will remain long after the final chapter of this case is written.