Topline: Officials confirmed the man’s death is being investigated as a suicide, deepening the family’s fear that they may never find the missing teen’s body.
Published: March 28, 2026 8:15 am ET
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Jarvis Butts (via Michigan Department of Corrections)
DETROIT, MI — A Detroit man convicted of murdering 13-year-old Na’Ziyah Harris was found dead Thursday morning inside a Michigan prison, just weeks after being sentenced in a case that has left the victim’s family still searching for answers.
According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Jarvis Butts, 43, was discovered unresponsive at the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson. Staff attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The agency said the death is being reported as a suicide, while the Michigan State Police have opened an investigation after being notified around 6:45 a.m., as reported by WXYZ.
Butts’ death comes roughly two weeks after he was sentenced on March 12 to 35 to 60 years in prison for second-degree murder in the killing of Na’Ziyah Harris, along with multiple concurrent sentences tied to several criminal sexual conduct convictions involving other victims, according to WXYZ. Prosecutors said he killed the teen after learning she was pregnant with his child. Harris’ body has never been recovered.
The case has been marked by prolonged uncertainty since the 13-year-old was last seen on Jan. 9, 2024, getting off her school bus on Detroit’s east side. Despite extensive searches, police have been unable to locate her remains.
Family members say Butts’ death now raises fears that critical information may be lost. “I feel like we still didn’t get answers for Na’Ziyah. I feel like there were still unanswered questions about the case,” her cousin Roxy told FOX 2 Detroit.
As part of a plea agreement reached in February, Butts was required to provide a truthful statement about where he disposed of Harris’ body. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to CBS News Detroit that such a statement was submitted and described it as significant in bringing closure to some family members, though it has not been made public. Roxy said only select relatives—those Harris lived with at the time of her disappearance—were allowed to see it.
“Me, as well as other family members and members of the public, have been waiting for two years now to know where Na’Ziyah is,” she said.
Some relatives reacted to the news of Butts’ death with frustration rather than grief. “I think it was a bit of a cowardly way out, but he made his bed so he has to lay in it,” Roxy said, according to FOX 2.
Community activist Tamara Liberty-Smith, who has followed the case closely, told the station that anger remains over what many see as incomplete cooperation tied to the plea deal. “Just saying you threw her in the river isn’t good enough,” she said. “With a plea, you give us something, we give you this, and we didn’t get that. And the community is very angry about that.”
Authorities have said the most recent lead suggests Harris’ body may have been dumped in the Rouge River near 7 Mile in Detroit, though that information has not led to a recovery.
Despite Butts’ death, investigators say the search will continue. In a statement cited by WXYZ, the Detroit Police Department said it remains committed to pursuing all leads. “Although the legal process ended with a conviction in court, our work is not done,” the department said. “Our department will follow all leads for a homicide and continue our efforts to locate the body of Na’Ziyah Harris to help bring closure to her family.”
Butts had a documented history of sexual abuse spanning more than a decade, involving multiple victims, some as young as four years old, according to FOX 2. His plea deal resolved several pending cases, with some charges dropped as part of the agreement.
Even as the investigation continues, the case has left a lasting impact on victims and the broader community. Roxy said she recently spoke with one of the survivors connected to Butts’ prior crimes. “She expressed to me that she can finally breathe after being suffocated for so many years,” she said, according to CBS News Detroit.
Roxy also said she is working to establish the Na’Ziyah Rapid Response Recovery Team, an effort aimed at helping families navigate cases involving missing and murdered loved ones.
For now, the search for Na’Ziyah Harris continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Officials confirmed the man’s death is being investigated as a suicide, deepening the family’s fear that they may never find the missing teen’s body.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 28, 2026 8:15 am ET
Jarvis Butts (via Michigan Department of Corrections)
DETROIT, MI — A Detroit man convicted of murdering 13-year-old Na’Ziyah Harris was found dead Thursday morning inside a Michigan prison, just weeks after being sentenced in a case that has left the victim’s family still searching for answers.
According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Jarvis Butts, 43, was discovered unresponsive at the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson. Staff attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The agency said the death is being reported as a suicide, while the Michigan State Police have opened an investigation after being notified around 6:45 a.m., as reported by WXYZ.
Butts’ death comes roughly two weeks after he was sentenced on March 12 to 35 to 60 years in prison for second-degree murder in the killing of Na’Ziyah Harris, along with multiple concurrent sentences tied to several criminal sexual conduct convictions involving other victims, according to WXYZ. Prosecutors said he killed the teen after learning she was pregnant with his child. Harris’ body has never been recovered.
The case has been marked by prolonged uncertainty since the 13-year-old was last seen on Jan. 9, 2024, getting off her school bus on Detroit’s east side. Despite extensive searches, police have been unable to locate her remains.
Family members say Butts’ death now raises fears that critical information may be lost. “I feel like we still didn’t get answers for Na’Ziyah. I feel like there were still unanswered questions about the case,” her cousin Roxy told FOX 2 Detroit.
As part of a plea agreement reached in February, Butts was required to provide a truthful statement about where he disposed of Harris’ body. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to CBS News Detroit that such a statement was submitted and described it as significant in bringing closure to some family members, though it has not been made public. Roxy said only select relatives—those Harris lived with at the time of her disappearance—were allowed to see it.
“Me, as well as other family members and members of the public, have been waiting for two years now to know where Na’Ziyah is,” she said.
Some relatives reacted to the news of Butts’ death with frustration rather than grief. “I think it was a bit of a cowardly way out, but he made his bed so he has to lay in it,” Roxy said, according to FOX 2.
Community activist Tamara Liberty-Smith, who has followed the case closely, told the station that anger remains over what many see as incomplete cooperation tied to the plea deal. “Just saying you threw her in the river isn’t good enough,” she said. “With a plea, you give us something, we give you this, and we didn’t get that. And the community is very angry about that.”
Authorities have said the most recent lead suggests Harris’ body may have been dumped in the Rouge River near 7 Mile in Detroit, though that information has not led to a recovery.
Despite Butts’ death, investigators say the search will continue. In a statement cited by WXYZ, the Detroit Police Department said it remains committed to pursuing all leads. “Although the legal process ended with a conviction in court, our work is not done,” the department said. “Our department will follow all leads for a homicide and continue our efforts to locate the body of Na’Ziyah Harris to help bring closure to her family.”
Butts had a documented history of sexual abuse spanning more than a decade, involving multiple victims, some as young as four years old, according to FOX 2. His plea deal resolved several pending cases, with some charges dropped as part of the agreement.
Even as the investigation continues, the case has left a lasting impact on victims and the broader community. Roxy said she recently spoke with one of the survivors connected to Butts’ prior crimes. “She expressed to me that she can finally breathe after being suffocated for so many years,” she said, according to CBS News Detroit.
Roxy also said she is working to establish the Na’Ziyah Rapid Response Recovery Team, an effort aimed at helping families navigate cases involving missing and murdered loved ones.
For now, the search for Na’Ziyah Harris continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Convicted of Killing 13-Year-Old He Impregnated Dies in Prison Before Revealing Full Truth
Officials confirmed the man’s death is being investigated as a suicide, deepening the family’s fear that they may never find the missing teen’s body.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 28, 2026 8:15 am ET
Jarvis Butts (via Michigan Department of Corrections)
DETROIT, MI — A Detroit man convicted of murdering 13-year-old Na’Ziyah Harris was found dead Thursday morning inside a Michigan prison, just weeks after being sentenced in a case that has left the victim’s family still searching for answers.
According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Jarvis Butts, 43, was discovered unresponsive at the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson. Staff attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The agency said the death is being reported as a suicide, while the Michigan State Police have opened an investigation after being notified around 6:45 a.m., as reported by WXYZ.
Butts’ death comes roughly two weeks after he was sentenced on March 12 to 35 to 60 years in prison for second-degree murder in the killing of Na’Ziyah Harris, along with multiple concurrent sentences tied to several criminal sexual conduct convictions involving other victims, according to WXYZ. Prosecutors said he killed the teen after learning she was pregnant with his child. Harris’ body has never been recovered.
The case has been marked by prolonged uncertainty since the 13-year-old was last seen on Jan. 9, 2024, getting off her school bus on Detroit’s east side. Despite extensive searches, police have been unable to locate her remains.
Family members say Butts’ death now raises fears that critical information may be lost. “I feel like we still didn’t get answers for Na’Ziyah. I feel like there were still unanswered questions about the case,” her cousin Roxy told FOX 2 Detroit.
As part of a plea agreement reached in February, Butts was required to provide a truthful statement about where he disposed of Harris’ body. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to CBS News Detroit that such a statement was submitted and described it as significant in bringing closure to some family members, though it has not been made public. Roxy said only select relatives—those Harris lived with at the time of her disappearance—were allowed to see it.
“Me, as well as other family members and members of the public, have been waiting for two years now to know where Na’Ziyah is,” she said.
Some relatives reacted to the news of Butts’ death with frustration rather than grief. “I think it was a bit of a cowardly way out, but he made his bed so he has to lay in it,” Roxy said, according to FOX 2.
Community activist Tamara Liberty-Smith, who has followed the case closely, told the station that anger remains over what many see as incomplete cooperation tied to the plea deal. “Just saying you threw her in the river isn’t good enough,” she said. “With a plea, you give us something, we give you this, and we didn’t get that. And the community is very angry about that.”
Authorities have said the most recent lead suggests Harris’ body may have been dumped in the Rouge River near 7 Mile in Detroit, though that information has not led to a recovery.
Despite Butts’ death, investigators say the search will continue. In a statement cited by WXYZ, the Detroit Police Department said it remains committed to pursuing all leads. “Although the legal process ended with a conviction in court, our work is not done,” the department said. “Our department will follow all leads for a homicide and continue our efforts to locate the body of Na’Ziyah Harris to help bring closure to her family.”
Butts had a documented history of sexual abuse spanning more than a decade, involving multiple victims, some as young as four years old, according to FOX 2. His plea deal resolved several pending cases, with some charges dropped as part of the agreement.
Even as the investigation continues, the case has left a lasting impact on victims and the broader community. Roxy said she recently spoke with one of the survivors connected to Butts’ prior crimes. “She expressed to me that she can finally breathe after being suffocated for so many years,” she said, according to CBS News Detroit.
Roxy also said she is working to establish the Na’Ziyah Rapid Response Recovery Team, an effort aimed at helping families navigate cases involving missing and murdered loved ones.
For now, the search for Na’Ziyah Harris continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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