NewsNation - In a surprising turn of events, new inconsistencies have emerged in the case surrounding the deaths of three friends outside a Kansas City home after a Chiefs viewing party. The tenant's lawyer, John Picerno, previously claimed that a fifth friend was the last person to see the victims alive before leaving the rented home. However, the fifth friend, who remains unidentified, has come forward denying these allegations.

According to an exclusive interview with NewsNation affiliate WDAF, the fifth friend stated that he was not the last person to see the three men alive. He emphasized that when he left the premises, tenant Jordan Willis was still awake. This contradicts Picerno's previous statement, further muddying the narrative surrounding the tragic event.

The fifth man's lawyer, Andrew Talge, disclosed that his client arrived at Willis' residence around 7 p.m. on January 7 and left around midnight. Talge asserted that when his client departed, Willis and the three men - identified as David Harrington, Ricky Johnson, and Clayton McGeeney - were still alive and engaged in watching Jeopardy! for the night. Talge added that his client received a text from McGeeney's finance and Johnson's mother on Tuesday, expressing concern about the whereabouts of the men. However, the client allegedly never received any responses when he texted Willis and Johnson.

These conflicting accounts raise further questions about the accuracy of the story initially presented by Willis' attorney. Picerno has spoken to various media outlets in the past weeks, and his version of events has changed multiple times. For instance, he previously stated to NewsNation's Ashleigh Banfield that Willis let his friend out, while telling another news outlet that Willis had gone to bed before his friends departed.

In response to Talge's claims, Picerno declined to comment regarding the alleged text messaging disagreement. Picerno has consistently maintained that his client was asleep upstairs while the other four individuals were awake.

Law enforcement authorities have stated that there were no apparent signs of foul play, and no arrests have been made so far. It is worth noting that Willis has cooperated with the police throughout the investigation.

As the case continues to unfold, the search for answers regarding the deaths of these three friends remains a priority. The discrepancies in the accounts provided by the involved parties complicate the investigation, making it essential for law enforcement to piece together an accurate timeline and gather further evidence.

The families and loved ones of Harrington, Johnson, and McGeeney await more information, hoping to find closure and justice in the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy.