Quick Facts
Full Name: Jarvis Butts
Age: 43
Nationality: American
Occupation: No formal occupation; previously incarcerated
Known For: Conviction in the murder of 13-year-old Na’Ziyah Harris
Early Life and Background
Butts was a resident of Detroit, Michigan. Little is publicly known about his early life, but his criminal history dates back to 2005, when he was convicted for sexually assaulting two young girls and served nearly a decade in prison.
Criminal History and Pattern of Abuse
Prosecutors described Butts as a skilled manipulator who targeted women specifically to gain access to their daughters. His pattern of abuse spanned years and involved multiple victims. In his final case, he pleaded guilty to charges involving six victims, including Na’Ziyah Harris and five other girls between the ages of 4 and 13.
The Murder of Na’Ziyah Harris
Na’Ziyah Harris, 13, was last seen in January 2024 after getting off a school bus in Detroit. Prosecutors said Butts had been grooming her for two years. After she became pregnant, evidence showed Butts had searched online for abortion-related terms. Cell phone data indicated they met the day she disappeared, and her phone was never used again. Butts later admitted to disposing of her body in the Rouge River area. Some of her clothing was recovered, but her remains have never been found.
Final Plea and Death
In February 2026, Butts pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and multiple sexual conduct charges. On March 12, he was sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison. On March 26, he was found dead in his cell at a Michigan correctional facility. Prison staff attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead. Authorities opened an investigation into his death as an apparent suicide.
Personal Details
There is no public information about Butts’ net worth. He was in a relationship with Na’Ziyah Harris’ aunt, with whom he had five children, though it is unclear if they were legally married.
Why He Is in the News
Butts is in the news following his death in prison just two weeks after receiving his sentence for the murder of Na’Ziyah Harris. His death has left unanswered questions, including the location of her remains, which he had agreed to disclose as part of his plea agreement.
