ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he killed his ex-boyfriend and disposed of his body in the Mississippi River following a relationship dispute that had escalated into threats of violence.
Prosecutors have charged 27-year-old Ahmad K. Jackson with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse in connection with the death of 24-year-old Ross Harris. Jackson is being held without bond as the case moves forward.
According to charging documents, Harris was reported missing on April 4 by family members who grew concerned after they had not heard from him. Their concern quickly intensified when they shared troubling evidence with police, including a voicemail allegedly left by Jackson in which he threatened Harris’ life and suggested his body would be unrecognizable.
Investigators say the relationship between the two men had recently ended and was marked by tension, with text messages recovered from Jackson’s phone allegedly showing accusations of infidelity and escalating hostility. Authorities believe those messages helped establish a timeline and motive in the case.
Police used cellphone data to track Harris’ last known movements, which indicated his phone had been near Jackson’s residence shortly before he disappeared. Surveillance and digital evidence further suggested Jackson had traveled to St. Charles County, where he purchased a firearm, before returning to St. Louis.
According to the probable cause statement, Jackson later went to Harris’ home. Investigators believe Harris was shot during that encounter. Blood evidence was subsequently found inside Jackson’s residence as well as in his vehicle, reinforcing detectives’ belief that the killing occurred and that Jackson attempted to conceal it.
During an interview with police, Jackson allegedly admitted to shooting Harris. Authorities say he also confessed to transporting Harris’ body and dumping it into the Mississippi River in an effort to destroy evidence and avoid detection.
Despite ongoing search efforts, Harris’ body has not yet been recovered.
The case highlights the increasing role of digital footprints—text messages, phone pings and recorded threats—in modern homicide investigations, particularly in cases where physical evidence may be limited or a victim remains missing.
Jackson remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Meanwhile, Harris’ family continues to seek answers and closure as the search for his remains continues along the Mississippi River.
