THE MAN convicted of murdering 13-year-old Na’Ziyah Harris was found dead in a Michigan prison on Thursday.

His death came just days after he was sentenced 35 to 60 years in prison for the teen’s murder.

Mugshot of Jarvis Butts, a man with a goatee and short hair, wearing a dark shirt.Jarvis Butts was sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison in connection with Na’Ziyah Harris’ deathCredit: Michigan Department of Corrections
 
Na’Ziyah Harris smiling and waving in a classroom.Harris went missing one day in January 2024 after school and was never foundCredit: WDIV
Jarvis Butts, 43, was found dead in prison and his death has been reported as a suicide, the Michigan Department of Corrections told local outlet WDIV.

Butts pleaded guilty to six different charges in February, including charges connected to Harris’ disappearance and murder.

The 13-year-old was a student at J. E. Clark Preparatory Academy in Detroit, Michigan, who went missing one day after school in January 2024.

Her body has yet to be found.

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The two knew each other because Butts was the father of Harris’ cousins, according to another WDIV report.

Authorities believe Butts had been sexually abusing the girl since 2022, where text messages showed Butts sending sexually explicit messages and asking for nude photos.

Text messages from 2023 revealed Harris claimed she was pregnant, and detailed having trouble in school due to her “baby.”

On January 9, 2024, the day Harris went missing, Butts was supposed to turn himself into authorities for a gun charge, but the date got pushed back.

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Harris allegedly met up with the 43-year-old that day, where they went to Ypsilanti and then back to Detroit, a nearly 40-minute drive, before Butts checked into a motel in Detroit.

Butts reportedly knew that Harris was pregnant and searched online about abortions, abortion pills and drinking red anti-freeze.

A source told WDIV that Butts admitted to dumping the girl’s body in Rouge River and officials have said there is an “overwhelming” amount of evidence linking Butts to Harris’ murder.

Officials previously said they found an inside-out pink jumpsuit, red and black shoe and a black jacket, the last outfit she was seen wearing, near an intersection by the river.

Authorities said there was damage from the clothing, possibly indicating a struggle.

During the case, prosecutors said Butts had a history of targeting and befriending women in order to get close to and sexually abuse their daughters.

Butts was also charged in separate sexual assault cases involving an eight-year-old relative and another young girl.

He was sentenced to ten to 15 years in prison for five sexual assault charges.

He was also convicted of sexual assault in 2005.

Butts was sent to the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson County, where his earliest release date set for September 26, 2059.