MILWAUKEE — MILWAUKEE — 3-year-old Major Harris, who has been the subject of an active AMBER Alert for much of the past week, was found dead Thursday afternoon, Milwaukee police said in a news conference.
The boy had been last seen on Oct. 9. An AMBER Alert was issued over the weekend and was active until Thursday afternoon.
This comes after authorities found the body of Harris' mother, 24-year-old Mallery Muenzenberger, in a Milwaukee home and the body of a suspect, Jaheem Clark, who police say committed suicide shortly before officers entered the house he was in.
TMJ4 COVERAGE:
- 3-year-old Major Harris found dead, police say
- 'Her son was her life': Family of Mallery Muenzenberger speaks out
- Father of 3-year-old Major Harris pleads for information on son's disappearance
- Milwaukee police say they made arrests in homicide of Major Harris' mother
- Suspect's vehicle found in AMBER Alert
- Homicide suspect in AMBER Alert found dead
On Wednesday, police confirmed to TMJ4 News that they made several arrests in connection to the homicide of Muenzenberger.
Acting Milwaukee Police Chief Jefferey Norman had few details to release during what he described as a "fluid" investigation. Harris' body was found at 35th and Rohr on the city's northwest side, police said.
"We have to be strategic in our resources being utilized," Chief Norman said. "But we also understand the urgency and the seriousness. This is not something we take lightly, as you can see the resources utilized here. And we continue to be there for our community when we have situations like this. Hopefully we will never have to see this again."
The investigation
Muenzenberger, 24, was found dead in a home in the 2600 block of North 37th on Thursday, Oct. 14. She died from multiple gunshot wounds, police said.
MPD's investigation later identified Jaheem Clark as a person of interest. Milwaukee Police approached a house on the 5400 block of North 31st Street on Sunday that was believed to be housing Clark. Shortly after arriving there, officers heard at least two gunshots from inside the house.
Officers entered the house and located Clark's body. He had died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, police said. No officers fired their weapons while on the scene, according to MPD.
Police said on Tuesday that Clark is now considered a suspect in Muenzenberger's death.
On Monday, police found the vehicle identified in the AMBER Alert near a laundromat in the area of North Sherman Boulevard and West Villard Avenue, which is not far from Havenwoods State Forest .
Police continued that they believe Harris and Muenzenberger arrived in Milwaukee around Oct. 9, based on interviews and evidence found at the North 37th address.
The investigation took longer than expected because Muenzenberger is not from Milwaukee and her identity had to be verified, police said.
'Her son was her life': Statement from family of Mallery Muenzenberger
The family of Mallery released a statement Thursday saying that they are "heartbroken" and that they will continue looking for Major Harris.
"Mallery was raised in a family unit based on their strong faith. She attended bible studies, bible camps, weekly church services and daily prayer. Her son was her life – her joy – her purpose- her future. She loved her family," the statement said.
The family also said, "Mallery became involved in a life she never shared with our family. She was much too private. She was an honest person with too much trust we have found out."
Read the statement in full below:
"ON behalf of the family of Mallery Muenzenberger and Major Harris, we want to extend our many thanks to the Milwaukee community volunteers and the Milwaukee Police Department for all of your diligence in searching for Major. It has truly been a helpless feeling for all of us that have not been able to assist in the search for Major due to having to prepare for Mallery’s funeral.
We are heartbroken as we prepare to say our final goodbyes to Mallery who was taken from us in such a violent fashion. Mallery was a beautiful kind soul who loved her little boy with all of her heart. She raised him as a single mother, working 2 jobs at times trying to provide for him. Her early aspirations were to become a nurse, and she would have made a very caring one! Mallery became involved in a life she never shared with our family. She was much too private. She was an honest person with too much trust we have found out. As we have been searching through her belonging’s we came across her high school senior project. How ironic that the topic she chose to present was Domestic Violence Awareness. Mallery faced her death in the hands of domestic violence in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Mallery was raised in a family unit based on their strong faith. She attended bible studies, bible camps, weekly church services and daily prayer. Her son was her life – her joy – her purpose- her future. She loved her family. As we look through the pictures of her growing up, we continually see her contagious, sweet smile. You couldn’t help but be drawn to her lovable personality. She had a quiet, innocence about her. She never had to be the center of attention, more than likely she was the one smirking in the corner of the room with that devious look of hers.
Mallery’s life will not be forgotten. We will never let her memory go. We will continue to search for her beautiful baby boy, Major and bring him home to Lacrosse, to the family that loves and cares for him. Major has been a part of Mallery’s family since his birth and his missing has left an incredible void in our lives.
We will always approach the month of October with a new appreciation and awareness on her behalf. We ask that all of us keep the victims of domestic violence in your hearts, and say a prayer that their souls rest in peace.
As we transition our focus of putting Mallery to rest, we will never rest until we locate Major. We are desperate for any information regarding his whereabouts. If you have any information please contact the Milwaukee Police Department, and bring Major home. #majorstrong"
