BALTIMORE — Charging documents reveal a tragic end to the life of a former Loyola University basketball star.
Jamal Barney had been missing for nine days.
On October 2, 2023, his family called police to a vacant home in the 500 block of North Payson Street.
They told officers about receiving messages from strangers, suggesting Barney had been hit in the head with a cinder block and left for dead inside the home.
These strangers reportedly mentioned that a person known as "Little D" was responsible.
Inside a second-floor bedroom, police were met by a strong odor.
Stuffed underneath a cutout mattress officers discovered a badly decomposed human body.
Detectives described it as being "completely mummified," in a "clear attempt" to cover up the remains.
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At first, no foul play was observed, but then investigators noticed a large hole in the wall connecting to other rooms.
Laying there were two cinder blocks and a concrete paver with blood on it.
Tattoos ultimately helped identify the body as Barney.
The next day police arrested Dayrel McFarland at a home next door, for an open warrant related to a 2023 theft in Baltimore County.
During an interview with detectives, McFarland denied the murder but admitted being Barney's roommate.
A mixture of McFarland's DNA was detected on the cinder block recovered at the crime scene.
A witness also came forward, alleging that McFarland confessed to killing Barney with a cinder block.
The witness claimed McFarland took them to the crime scene.
He allegedly told the witness that Barney "was still letting air out for two days before he finally stopped."
About a week or so later, the witness recalled McFarland saying he'd hidden Barney's body inside the mattress, and attempted to clean up the evidence with acid.
The witness said they tried getting word out on the street, hoping it would get back to Barney's family.
Following his death, Loyola University issued a statement calling Barney "a tough and extremely talented competitor on the basketball court who also had a big smile and affection for his friends and family.”
Barney, 37, began his collegiate career in 2007, leading the MAAC in scoring during multiple seasons.
He is the only player in program history to score 40 or more points twice.
McFarland is currently in custody facing first-degree murder and assault charges. No motive was ever revealed.
