In the winter of 2024, the life of 40-year-old Jahfari Joseph, a Black man, was tragically cut short in Peru, New York. Originally from Brooklyn and a father of four, Joseph was a reggae artist known as Ifari who had relocated to Plattsburgh. His family grew concerned when he became unreachable after December 29th, a worry that tragically materialized into a homicide investigation.
The investigation into Joseph's disappearance quickly pointed towards foul play.
On that late December day, Joseph was at a residence on Fuller Road in Peru where an argument is believed to have taken place. Authorities believe that during this dispute, he was shot and killed. This act of violence was not random, according to investigators, who suggested a possible disagreement with the family of the accused.
The search for Joseph's body was extensive, involving multiple law enforcement agencies that followed up on over 225 leads. The investigation, aided by witness statements, cellphone videos, and audio recordings, led to a significant breakthrough. On January 7, 2025, police arrested 61-year-old Timothy Timmons of Plattsburgh, charging him with second-degree murder.
Weeks later, in mid-February, Joseph's remains were discovered along County Route 26 in the town of Franklin. An autopsy confirmed his identity and determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the chest. The case against Timothy Timmons proceeded, and he was ultimately found guilty of second-degree murder in October 2025.
Further investigation revealed the involvement of others in the aftermath of the murder. Chad Nichols, a 40-year-old from Vermontville, was arrested for his role in concealing the crime. He later testified that Timmons had instructed him to dispose of Joseph's body. Nichols pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution and was sentenced to three to six years in prison. Kelly Timmons, the 60-year-old ex-wife of Timothy Timmons, was also implicated. She pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a firearm after it was revealed she provided the loaded firearms used in the murder. For her role, she was sentenced to three years in state prison.
