Topline: St. Louis prosecutors say a 27-year-old man admitted he shot his ex-boyfriend, then dumped the victim’s body in the Mississippi River after sending threatening messages.
Published: April 24, 2026 10:30 am ET
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A 27-year-old man is jailed without bond after prosecutors say he admitted killing his ex-boyfriend, Ross Harris, and dumping Harris’ body in the Mississippi River.
Harris’ loved ones remembered him this week as a beloved godfather, loyal friend and dedicated volunteer with Project Thrive, a nonprofit that serves members of St. Louis’ LGBTQ community and others.
According to court documents cited by KSDK, Ahmad Jackson, Harris’ ex-boyfriend, told police he bought a gun in St. Charles, drove to Harris’ Soulard apartment, shot and killed Harris blocks from the residence, and then dumped the body in the river.
Police arrested Jackson at his north St. Louis County home last Tuesday.
Loved ones said concern grew after Harris failed to pick up his best friend and mentee, Hezekiah Williams, from Lambert International Airport on Easter. Williams said Harris had previously told him about text messages Jackson had been sending.
Detectives later reviewed Jackson’s phone records and found messages accusing Harris of cheating and threatening to hurt him, according to the report.
Apryl Barnes, who described Harris as her godson, said he had a heart of gold and that everybody loved him. Barnes and other mourners gathered for a balloon release in his memory, saying the killing was deeply traumatic and could have been avoided.
Dr. Claire Martin, an assistant professor of counseling at Webster University, told the station that recognizing warning signs such as anger, violence and a history of violence is an important first step in preventing this kind of deadly escalation.
Jackson was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse. Prosecutors said he has no prior criminal history.
Police are asking anyone with information about the crime to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Division at 314-444-4371. Anonymous tipsters seeking a possible cash reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.
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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Ex-Boyfriend Charged After St. Louis Man Was Killed and Dumped in Mississippi River
St. Louis prosecutors say a 27-year-old man admitted he shot his ex-boyfriend, then dumped the victim’s body in the Mississippi River after sending threatening messages.
By Silvia Torres
Published: April 24, 2026 10:30 am ET
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A 27-year-old man is jailed without bond after prosecutors say he admitted killing his ex-boyfriend, Ross Harris, and dumping Harris’ body in the Mississippi River.
Harris’ loved ones remembered him this week as a beloved godfather, loyal friend and dedicated volunteer with Project Thrive, a nonprofit that serves members of St. Louis’ LGBTQ community and others.
According to court documents cited by KSDK, Ahmad Jackson, Harris’ ex-boyfriend, told police he bought a gun in St. Charles, drove to Harris’ Soulard apartment, shot and killed Harris blocks from the residence, and then dumped the body in the river.
Police arrested Jackson at his north St. Louis County home last Tuesday.
Loved ones said concern grew after Harris failed to pick up his best friend and mentee, Hezekiah Williams, from Lambert International Airport on Easter. Williams said Harris had previously told him about text messages Jackson had been sending.
Detectives later reviewed Jackson’s phone records and found messages accusing Harris of cheating and threatening to hurt him, according to the report.
Apryl Barnes, who described Harris as her godson, said he had a heart of gold and that everybody loved him. Barnes and other mourners gathered for a balloon release in his memory, saying the killing was deeply traumatic and could have been avoided.
Dr. Claire Martin, an assistant professor of counseling at Webster University, told the station that recognizing warning signs such as anger, violence and a history of violence is an important first step in preventing this kind of deadly escalation.
Jackson was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse. Prosecutors said he has no prior criminal history.
Police are asking anyone with information about the crime to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Division at 314-444-4371. Anonymous tipsters seeking a possible cash reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.
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
Ex-Boyfriend Charged After St. Louis Man Was Killed and Dumped in Mississippi River
St. Louis prosecutors say a 27-year-old man admitted he shot his ex-boyfriend, then dumped the victim’s body in the Mississippi River after sending threatening messages.
By Silvia Torres
Published: April 24, 2026 10:30 am ET
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A 27-year-old man is jailed without bond after prosecutors say he admitted killing his ex-boyfriend, Ross Harris, and dumping Harris’ body in the Mississippi River.
Harris’ loved ones remembered him this week as a beloved godfather, loyal friend and dedicated volunteer with Project Thrive, a nonprofit that serves members of St. Louis’ LGBTQ community and others.
According to court documents cited by KSDK, Ahmad Jackson, Harris’ ex-boyfriend, told police he bought a gun in St. Charles, drove to Harris’ Soulard apartment, shot and killed Harris blocks from the residence, and then dumped the body in the river.
Police arrested Jackson at his north St. Louis County home last Tuesday.
Loved ones said concern grew after Harris failed to pick up his best friend and mentee, Hezekiah Williams, from Lambert International Airport on Easter. Williams said Harris had previously told him about text messages Jackson had been sending.
Detectives later reviewed Jackson’s phone records and found messages accusing Harris of cheating and threatening to hurt him, according to the report.
Apryl Barnes, who described Harris as her godson, said he had a heart of gold and that everybody loved him. Barnes and other mourners gathered for a balloon release in his memory, saying the killing was deeply traumatic and could have been avoided.
Dr. Claire Martin, an assistant professor of counseling at Webster University, told the station that recognizing warning signs such as anger, violence and a history of violence is an important first step in preventing this kind of deadly escalation.
Jackson was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse. Prosecutors said he has no prior criminal history.
Police are asking anyone with information about the crime to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Division at 314-444-4371. Anonymous tipsters seeking a possible cash reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.
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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