Authorities in Anoka County announced early Tuesday that human remains found over the weekend have been identified as those of a Columbia Heights teenager who went missing in May.
Manny Collins was reported missing from Columbia Heights in May. Authorities said Tuesday that his remains were found over the weekend.Courtesy of Anoka County Sheriff\\\\\\\\’s Office
16-year-old Jordan Collins Jr. — known as Manny — had been last seen on May 8. Authorities had said they believed his disappearance was against his will.
Local, state and federal agencies had been searching an Elk River landfill in recent weeks, in connection with the case.
Tuesday’s news release from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and Columbia Heights Police Department did not say where the human remains were found. The cause of death remains under investigation.
The sheriff’s office had previously said there is a person of interest in the case, but there have been no arrests at last report.
“We wish to express our condolences to his mother, family, and
loved ones during this tragic time,” the sheriff’s office and police department said in Tuesday’s news release. “Local, state, and federal agencies all want to ensure that justice is served. Every available resource is being directed toward the lawful arrest of anyone responsible for Manny’s death.”
A news conference on the case is scheduled for later Tuesday morning.
Columbia Heights teen found dead after missing for almost two monthsManny Collins was last seen about two months ago with his father in Columbia Heights. 
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. — Nearly two months after 16-year-old Manny Collins went missing, Columbia Heights Police shared Tuesday that he was found dead.
The teen was last seen in Columbia Heights and police said they believed he was taken against his will. In a press release Tuesday, the Anoka County Sheriff\\\\\\\\’s Office said human remains were found over the weekend and they were identified as Collins\\\\\\\\’ body.
“Local, state, and federal agencies all want to ensure that justice is served. Every available resource is being directed toward the lawful arrest of anyone responsible for Manny’s death,” the Sheriff\\\\\\\\’s Office wrote in the release.
The Anoka County Sheriff\\\\\\\\’s Office will share further updates with the public in a news conference at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Ashley Berry, the teen\\\\\\\\’s mother, told KARE 11 in June that Collins was last seen with his father, who she hadn\\\\\\\\’t heard from in weeks. She said Collins was a caring person with a memorable smile.
“He\\\\\\\\’s a really good kid, and anybody who\\\\\\\\’s crossed paths with him knows that he has an old soul,” Berry said.