KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The two Leavenworth boys who were killed last weekend before a multi-state manhunt ensued for two of their younger sisters will be laid to rest Monday in a private ceremony.
A visitation for the Jackson boys — Logan, 14, and Austin, 12 — has been scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at St. Francis de Sales Church, 900 Ida Street in Lansing. Masks will be required.
The burial mass for family only will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Francis de Sales. The church will stream the service on its YouTube channel for public viewing, according to R.L. Leintz Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements.
Logan was an eighth-grader at Lansing Middle School who enjoyed soccer and video games.
“He was very intelligent and opinionated and would have been a star on the high school debate team,” according to Logan’s obituary.
Logan also “loved taking care of his sisters” — Nora, Aven and Evelyn.
“He had a soft heart for those he loved and while he didn’t smile very often, when he did, it lit up the room,” his obituary said.
Austin was a seventh-grader at Lansing Middle School. He was described as “a gifted soccer player and athlete, a country music fan” and an avid animal lover — especially his dog, Maggie, and a collection of turtles and reptiles.
“Austin had a mischievous smile and was always very animated when playing with his friends and cousins,” according to Austin’s obituary. “One of his favorite things to do was play Fortnite. Austin always radiated kindness and a fun positive energy."
The Jackson boys are survived by their mother, Tara, and three sisters, grandparents and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Chapter Fund at Frontier Community Credit Union in Leavenworth.
When one of the Jackson children didn’t show up for a soccer game the morning of Oct. 24, a family went to check on the kids.
The Jackson boys were found dead at a residence in the 14900 block of Hillside Road in Leavenworth.
Two of their sisters, 7-year-old Nora and 3-year-old Aven, were missing, triggering an Amber Alert for the girls and their father, Donald Jackson Jr.
The girls were found safe the evening of Oct. 24 in Beckham County, Oklahoma, near the Texas border.
Jackson, 40, was arrested and booked into the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office
He was charged Tuesday with capital murder in connection with the deaths of Austin and Logan.
Jackson could face the death penalty, if convicted. He waived an extradition hearing Friday in Oklahoma, clearing the way for his return to Kansas.
Authorities have not released details about Jackson’s connection to the boys’ murder or how they died. He also has not been charged with any crime related to the girls’ abduction.
