Raytown homicides have Emporia connection
By Sara Shepherd, The Kansas City Star
Originally published 09:07 p.m., March 18, 2009
Updated 01:12 p.m., March 19, 2009
RAYTOWN, MO. — Twenty detectives are now working leads to track down whoever killed four people — including the young sons of a former Emporia State University football star — whose bodies were discovered Monday in a Raytown apartment.
Those victims included Precious Triplett — a 21-year-old mother with aspirations of becoming a nurse, her 33-year-old boyfriend, Andre Jones Sr. and her two nephews — both promising athletes, even at the young ages of 7 and 10.
The boys, 10-year-old Amir Clemons and 7-year-old Gerard Clemons, are the sons of Gerard Clemons, a standout Emporia State football player, a spokesman for the Clemons family said.
Triplett picked up her nephews and brought them to her apartment Sunday evening.
It wasn’t until lunchtime Monday when the boys’ father, after failing to reach the group by phone, went to the apartment. Gerard Clemons found the bodies and called 911.
Clemons was a record-setting lineback for the ESU Hornets. According to Gazette files, he played the 1996-97 seasons for Manny Matsakis. During his senior year, Clemons played for Jerry Kill, who was hired after Matsakis left ESU. Clemons continues to hold two ESU individual records — longest fumble return for a touchdown (79 yards) in 1997 against Central Missouri State and a tie for most sacks in a game (4) against Northwest Missouri State — and remains second on the career tackles list with 378.
Triplett’s 1-year-old son was found unharmed in the apartment.
Amir and Gerard both played for the Missouri Valley Blazers fourth-grade red team.
Although only a first-grader, Gerard was good enough that he was allowed to “play up,” head coach James Price said.
Gerard’s determination was inspiring to teammates and coaches alike, Price said. Even after being knocked down and roughed up by much older — and bigger — players, “Little G” begged to start game after game.
“I told his mom and dad he’s going to be special,” Price said. “He’s going to be special because he’s focused and determined, and he’s got the drive.”
Amir scored a career-high 26 points in a game Friday night, said Troy Simon, the team’s assistant coach and a close family friend the boys called “uncle.”
Afterward, Simon told Amir he had a great game. He replied: “Yeah, coach, but next Friday I’m going to be a little better.”
Metro Squad members followed more than 30 leads Tuesday and continued working Wednesday, said Kansas City Police Detective Robert Delameter. He said no one called to report any disturbances or shots fired at the building Sunday evening or Monday morning.
Police have ruled out murder-suicide but have yet to identify any suspects, Delameter said.
Police are withholding details about the deaths, including how and when the victims were killed, because that information is sensitive to the investigation, Delameter said.
Detectives interviewed Triplett’s ex-boyfriend Tuesday night. He and other associates of the victims have been cooperative, Delameter said.
Police did not have any suspects as of Wednesday afternoon, Delameter said.
“We just got started,” he said. “It’s not a real fast process, not as fast as we’d like it to be.”
Triplett had a difficult life but worked hard to provide for her little boy, said Tiffany Blewett, who described herself as Triplett’s best friend.
Triplett came from a broken home and often played a parent role for her own younger brother, Blewett said. She said Triplett had her first child as a teen but gave the baby girl up for adoption.
In June, Triplett confessed to selling crack cocaine to an undercover detective, according to court documents. She entered Jackson County Drug Court, a diversion and rehabilitation program, in October.
Blewett said Triplett had used drugs but “stopped everything” and changed her life for her little boy.
Blewett said that Triplett had a rocky, on-and-off relationship with her baby’s father and that Triplett had recently started seeing someone new.
Before she was killed, Triplett was working for a temp agency and taking classes at Penn Valley Community College in hopes of becoming a nurse, Blewett said.
“She worked, went to school, she did everything,” Blewett said. “She was always busy.”
Police have received a few tips in the case but welcome more, Delameter said. Anyone who knows something can anonymously call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS (474-8477).
Star reporter Sara Shepherd is an Emporia native who interned at The Gazette.
madpoet (anonymous) says...
How awful! How could anyone kill little kids?! I can barely imagine killing an adult, but two little boys...My heart goes out to the family and friends of the victims. I hope they catch the killer soon and lock him up for eternity.
March 19, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I'm guessing drug rage here. Dope makes monsters out of anybody who uses. Look at those American teens in Texas bordertowns that are being trained to kill even little kids by drug cartels in exchange for drugs.
March 19, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
steakbuffet (anonymous) says...
I was shocked and saddened to read the news. Mr. Clemons was always in the Gazette for sports activities in the late 1990's. I finally met him in the summer of '99 when he worked with my child for an activity at Peter Pan Park. I was very impressed and thought he would make a wonderful educator. When the original photo ran in October, 1999, I thought he must be a great father too. We saved the clipping for a while, on the front of the refrigerator. In a college town so many folks come and go, this is such sad news for an ESU alum. It was well written by our own Emporian, Sara Shepherd. Does anyone know if Gerard became a teacher?
March 19, 2009 at 4:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abc123 (anonymous) says...
This is so sad. I will pray for the family.
March 20, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bernita (anonymous) says...
Gerard became a teacher in every way save title only. As proud "Daddy" he was teacher to Amir and Gerard as well as being a teacher, coach and mentor to the young men he coached in football, and the folks he befriended at work which is how I came to know and love Gerard by working with him at the Full Employment Council (FEC) in KCMO. Gerard's love and passion for guiding and directing youth carried over into his work life as he manages a youth program for the FEC and he is exceptionally good at it! I attended the funeral today of Precious, Amir and Gerard and it was extremely emotional. I think the one comment that resonated with me the most was Rev. Cleaver saying that the deaths of Precious, Amir and Gerard was NOT God's plan, God's plan was for Precious to continue to live and love life and for Amir and Gerard to grow up and become Godly good men, good students and athletes just like their father....their lives (and the life of Precious' friend Mr. Jones) ended pre-maturely and violently at the hand of a monster. Enough killing already. I am praying for Gerard and Rasheeda (the boys mother), her family, Precious' family and the family of Mr. Jones.
March 23, 2009 at 7:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )