It has now been nearly three agonizing weeks since Jordan Manny Collins, a beloved 16-year-old from Columbia Heights, Minnesota, was last seen. The silence surrounding his disappearance has been deafening, and the worry in his family’s hearts only grows heavier with each passing day.
Jordan—affectionately known as Manny—was last seen on May 8 in the vicinity of University Avenue and 49th Avenue NE in Columbia Heights. He is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Despite extensive searches and growing community concern, there has been no confirmed sighting of him since that day.
Authorities, including the Columbia Heights Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, held a press briefing to update the public on Manny’s case. At the core of the update was a chilling new development: Manny may have gone missing against his will.
“Sixteen-year-olds don’t just disconnect the way Manny did,” said Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise. “We’re all convinced he disappeared against his will.”
The sheriff’s office, alongside agencies such as the Minnesota BCA and the FBI, is now pursuing multiple leads. A person of interest has been identified, though no further details have been released to the public.
In a deeply emotional moment at the news conference, Manny’s mother, Ashley Berry, made a heartfelt plea to the public—and to her son.
“Manny, 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. You are loved. A lot of people are looking for you.”
Ashley shared that Manny had been staying with his father to focus on improving his grades but was planning to return to her home for the summer. He had a job lined up at Planet Fitness and was looking forward to a fresh start. All signs pointed to a motivated and grounded teenager—making his sudden disappearance even more alarming.
“Manny has never run away before. This is unlike him,” Ashley said. “If anyone has a heart and a soul and has seen anything, please come forward.”
Another disturbing detail: Manny’s phone hasn’t pinged since May 11—Mother’s Day—a date that only intensifies the pain for his mother. In addition, CashApp transfers Ashley continued to send her son as his allowance remain untouched.
Local law enforcement has conducted multiple searches in and around the area of University Avenue and 49th Avenue, but they are now turning to the public for crucial help. Businesses and residents in the area are being asked to check surveillance video from May 8 through May 12 for anything unusual or that may show Manny’s whereabouts. Even the smallest detail could be the missing puzzle piece investigators need.
Sheriff Wise emphasized:
“Someone knows something.”
As this nightmare stretches on for the Collins family, the call to action has never been more urgent. Time matters. Awareness matters. Compassion matters.
