Jarvis Butts death

Reference TimelineLast updated MAR 27
SUMMARY

Jarvis Butts, recently sentenced to 35 to 60 years for the second-degree murder of 13-year-old Na'Ziyah Harris and multiple criminal sexual conduct charges, was found dead in his prison cell on March 26, 2026. As of March 26, 2026: Authorities are investigating his death as a suicide, occurring just two weeks after his sentencing. Butts had pleaded guilty on February 12, 2026, to six cases, including the murder of Harris and child sexual assault charges, admitting to dumping Harris's body. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy had announced charges against Butts for the murder and rape of Na'Ziyah Harris on September 1, 2024, with evidence suggesting Butts had groomed Harris since 2022 and that she was pregnant by him.

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March 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Jarvis Butts, recently sentenced to 35 to 60 years for the second-degree murder of 13-year-old Na'Zi…

    Jarvis Butts, recently sentenced to 35 to 60 years for the second-degree murder of 13-year-old Na'Ziyah Harris and multiple criminal sexual conduct charges, was found dead in his prison cell on March 26, 2026. Authorities are investigating his death as a suicide, occurring just two weeks after his sentencing.

February 2026 — 2 developments

  1. On February 12, 2026, Jarvis Butts pleaded guilty in six cases, including the murder of Na'Ziyah Harris and multiple child sexual assault charges.

    On February 12, 2026, Jarvis Butts pleaded guilty in six cases, including the murder of Na'Ziyah Harris and multiple child sexual assault charges. He admitted to dumping Harris's body. The plea agreement includes a sentence of 35 to 60 years for second-degree murder and 10 to 15 years for criminal sexual conduct charges, to be served concurrently.

  2. Jarvis Butts has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct.

    Jarvis Butts has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. The plea agreement includes a sentence of 35 to 60 years for the murder charge and 10 to 15 years for the sexual conduct charges, to be served concurrently. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2026.

October 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Jarvis Butts was scheduled to stand trial for a separate case involving the sexual abuse of an 8-year-old child that occurred in 2021 and 2022.

    Jarvis Butts was scheduled to stand trial for a separate case involving the sexual abuse of an 8-year-old child that occurred in 2021 and 2022. Prosecutors also revealed that Butts faced charges for a sexual assault in Allen Park in 2013.

January 2025 — 3 developments

  1. A judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to send Jarvis Butts to trial for the murder of Na'Ziyah Harris, stating that he 'intentionally killed her.

    A judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to send Jarvis Butts to trial for the murder of Na'Ziyah Harris, stating that he 'intentionally killed her.' The preliminary hearing concluded after four days of testimony.

  2. Testimony continued in the preliminary hearing, with focus on phone location data and communication records related to the day of Na'Ziyah Harris's disappearance.

    Testimony continued in the preliminary hearing, with focus on phone location data and communication records related to the day of Na'Ziyah Harris's disappearance.

  3. Testimony began in the preliminary hearing for Jarvis Butts, with witnesses including his sister and individuals who identified Butts and his clothing.

    Testimony began in the preliminary hearing for Jarvis Butts, with witnesses including his sister and individuals who identified Butts and his clothing.

November 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Butts was bound over for trial in two separate cases involving the sexual abuse of children.

    Butts was bound over for trial in two separate cases involving the sexual abuse of children.

September 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced charges against Jarvis Butts for the murder and rape of Na'Ziyah Harris.

    Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced charges against Jarvis Butts for the murder and rape of Na'Ziyah Harris. Evidence suggested Butts had groomed Harris since 2022 and that she was pregnant by him.

June 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Jarvis Butts was interviewed by police regarding text messages exchanged with Na'Ziyah Harris.

    Jarvis Butts was interviewed by police regarding text messages exchanged with Na'Ziyah Harris. He denied a physical relationship with her, despite the content of the messages.

January 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Na'Ziyah Harris, 13, was last seen getting off a school bus in Detroit.

    Na'Ziyah Harris, 13, was last seen getting off a school bus in Detroit. She was believed to have met up with Jarvis Butts after school. Harris was never seen again, and her disappearance was reported.

September 2022 — 1 developments

  1. Prosecutors allege that Jarvis Butts began exchanging sexually explicit messages with Na'Ziyah Harris, who was 12 years old at the time.

    Prosecutors allege that Jarvis Butts began exchanging sexually explicit messages with Na'Ziyah Harris, who was 12 years old at the time. These messages continued into 2023 and indicated a relationship between them, with Harris saving Butts' contact as 'Bae for life.'