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Topics: NFL, Parenting, Sport, US News, Kansas City Chiefs
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: NFL, Parenting, Sport, US News, Kansas City Chiefs
The mom of one of the three Kansas City Chiefs fans who were found dead in their friend's backyard has spoken out.
On 9 January, Ricky Johnson, David Harrington and Clayton McGeeney were discovered having passed away outside a house rented by Jordan Willis in Kansas City, Missouri.
Two days before on 7 January, the three men - aged 38, 37 and 36 - had attended the Chiefs' game against the Los Angeles Chargers, before going to Willis' to celebrate.
Johnson's mother has since opened up about her son's passing and the moment she realised something wasn't right.
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Two of the men were discovered passed away in the backyard and the third on the back porch of Willis' house.
In a statement to The Independent, Willis' lawyer, John Picerno, said: "Jordan had absolutely nothing to do with their deaths. He does not know the timing or manner of their deaths, nor does he know how or when they exited his house.
"He had no knowledge that they remained in his back yard, or that they needed medical attention."
However, the families of the three men have since spoken out, with Harrington's mother, Jennifer Marquez, saying 'nobody believes this story'.
The three Chiefs fans' deaths are being investigated by Kansas City authorities who've stated the case is '100 percent NOT being investigated as a homicide'.
Their cause of death has not yet been officially announced, however, Picerno says it's suspected they died as a result of hypothermia.
Johnson's mom, Norma Chester, was celebrating her 66th birthday when she was informed her son had passed away.
She tells PEOPLE she first knew something was wrong when Johnson's dad texted her saying 'he hadn't heard from' the Chiefs fan.
She grew more suspicious when Johnson was the only person to not text her to wish her a happy birthday, and when the mom 'called around' family and friends, the mom of one of Johnson's kids said she hadn't heard from him either.
A 'day or so' later, Johnson was confirmed to be one of the three men who had passed away and 'that's how [they] all found out about it'.
Chester has since been left to take care of Johnson's four-year-old daughter.
Chester notes: "She's always saying, 'Grandma, I miss my dad. Then she'll see something on TV [and say], 'There's my dad.' And that's so heartbreaking."
The mom resolves: "He [Johnson] didn't deserve this."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677