Jarvis Butts Dies in Prison Weeks After Sentencing for Killing 13-Year-Old Girl

Jarvis Butts has reportedly died in prison, just two weeks after receiving his sentence for the killing of 13-year-old Na’Ziyah Harris.According to Fox 2 Detroit, the Michigan Department of Corrections says Butts died Thursday at the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center, and his death is being investigated as a possible suicide. Officials said staff attempted life-saving measures, but they were not successful.

On March 12, Butts pleaded guilty to Na’Ziyah’s murder and was sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison. During the hearing, the judge told him, “Mr. Butts, you’re going to have many years to sit and dwell on your horrible actions.” As part of his plea deal, Butts was required to provide information about where Na’Ziyah’s body is located, but her remains still have not been found.

Na’Ziyah disappeared in January 2024 after stepping off a bus in Detroit. Text messages showed she had arranged to meet Butts. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has said that Butts, who was 43 at the time of his death, had been grooming the girl since 2022.

Na’Ziyah was reportedly pregnant when she was killed, and Butts was alleged to be the father of the unborn child. Prosecutors say his online search history before the murder included searches for abortions, abortion pills, and drinking red antifreeze.Butts had also been charged with sex crimes involving five other girls, some as young as 4 years old, and had a previous conviction for assault against a child.