Four years after the disappearance of a Montezuma boy, investigators say they are making significant progress in the investigation. Xavior Harrelson, 10, was reported missing on May 27, 2021, by a neighbor. A farmer found his body four months later in a Poweshiek County farm field just a few miles outside Montezuma. Law enforcement believes they know how Xavior died, but they have not publicly revealed a cause of death, so as not to jeopardize the investigation.”Significant gains have been made in this investigation,” said Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Ryan Kedley. Kedley and Poweshiek County Chief Deputy Steve Kivi are the two law enforcement officials in charge of Xavior Harrelson’s death investigation. They say over the last four years they have executed dozens of search warrants, which have led to critical information in piecing the puzzle together. “I feel it’s solvable. I do. It’s just going to take the right piece of information at the right time, and we are working that way, and I am very optimistic about it,” said Kivi.Xavior vanished just days before his 11th birthday. At the time, he was living with his mother in a mobile home in Montezuma. His upbringing included poverty fueled by drug addiction. Xavior’s mother, Sarah Harrelson, has a documented history of drug use. The year after his death, she was arrested for selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer. In 2024, she was arrested again for violating her probation by continuing to use drugs.Harrelson, who has been homeless for the last few years, has denied any involvement in her son’s death. Investigators say she has been willing to talk with them on multiple occasions. In an interview last year, Kedley told KCCI that investigators had a number of people of interest. This year, he says that number has narrowed.”It’s less a question about who was involved, but why they were involved,” said Kedley. Investigators have also kept a close eye on Harrelson’s inner circle, including her former boyfriend, James Lowe. Lowe was arrested for federal firearms charges just days after Xavior disappeared.”Some of those same individuals that I spoke about a year ago are still in the scenery of this case, and we’re hopeful and optimistic that in the coming months and the coming year, whatever it takes, it’s going to be crystal clear what happened in the moments leading up to his passing and following,” said Kedley.Xavior’s aunt, Michelle Harrelson, tells KCCI the family plans to celebrate what would have been his 15th birthday on May 30. “He never had a chance to grow up. To make something of himself, and I think we both keep that in mind every time that we talk, and every time we follow up on a lead or talk to somebody,” said Kivi. “It’s our number one priority.”If you have any information, you are urged to call the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office at (641) 623-5679.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
MONTEZUMA, Iowa —
Four years after the disappearance of a Montezuma boy, investigators say they are making significant progress in the investigation.
Xavior Harrelson, 10, was reported missing on May 27, 2021, by a neighbor. A farmer found his body four months later in a Poweshiek County farm field just a few miles outside Montezuma. Law enforcement believes they know how Xavior died, but they have not publicly revealed a cause of death, so as not to jeopardize the investigation.
“Significant gains have been made in this investigation,” said Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Ryan Kedley.
Kedley and Poweshiek County Chief Deputy Steve Kivi are the two law enforcement officials in charge of Xavior Harrelson’s death investigation. They say over the last four years they have executed dozens of search warrants, which have led to critical information in piecing the puzzle together.
“I feel it’s solvable. I do. It’s just going to take the right piece of information at the right time, and we are working that way, and I am very optimistic about it,” said Kivi.
Xavior vanished just days before his 11th birthday. At the time, he was living with his mother in a mobile home in Montezuma. His upbringing included poverty fueled by drug addiction. Xavior’s mother, Sarah Harrelson, has a documented history of drug use.
The year after his death, she was arrested for selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer. In 2024, she was arrested again for violating her probation by continuing to use drugs.
Harrelson, who has been homeless for the last few years, has denied any involvement in her son’s death. Investigators say she has been willing to talk with them on multiple occasions.
In an interview last year, Kedley told KCCI that investigators had a number of people of interest. This year, he says that number has narrowed.
“It’s less a question about who was involved, but why they were involved,” said Kedley.
Investigators have also kept a close eye on Harrelson’s inner circle, including her former boyfriend, James Lowe. Lowe was arrested for federal firearms charges just days after Xavior disappeared.
“Some of those same individuals that I spoke about a year ago are still in the scenery of this case, and we’re hopeful and optimistic that in the coming months and the coming year, whatever it takes, it’s going to be crystal clear what happened in the moments leading up to his passing and following,” said Kedley.
Xavior’s aunt, Michelle Harrelson, tells KCCI the family plans to celebrate what would have been his 15th birthday on May 30.
“He never had a chance to grow up. To make something of himself, and I think we both keep that in mind every time that we talk, and every time we follow up on a lead or talk to somebody,” said Kivi. “It’s our number one priority.”
If you have any information, you are urged to call the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office at (641) 623-5679.
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