If you’ve spent any time on true crime forums lately, you’ve probably seen the name Larry Demery popping up again. Most people know him as one of the two teenagers who killed Michael Jordan’s father, James Jordan, back in 1993. It was a crime that shook the sports world and basically changed the course of NBA history. But lately, the internet has been buzzing with a specific question: what was the Larry Demery cause of death?
There is a lot of noise out there. Some people claim he died in prison. Others think he was released and disappeared.
Here is the truth, plain and simple.
As of early 2026, Larry Demery is not dead.
The confusion usually stems from a mix-up with another man of the same name or a misunderstanding of his recent legal status. While he hasn't passed away, his life behind bars has taken some massive, unexpected turns over the last couple of years that honestly make for a wilder story than the rumors.
Why Everyone Thinks Larry Demery Died
So, why is "Larry Demery cause of death" even a search term?
Google often gets tripped up by names. There was a former Major League Baseball pitcher named Larry Demery who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sadly, that Larry Demery actually did pass away in early 2024. When news of the athlete's death broke, the algorithms and casual readers started crossing wires. People saw the headline "Larry Demery Dies" and immediately thought of the man sitting in a North Carolina prison cell.
But the Larry Demery involved in the James Jordan case? He's still very much alive, though his "freedom" has been teased and then snatched away repeatedly.
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He’s currently about 50 years old. He's spent more than half his life in the system.
The man has been a "locked box" for decades. He doesn't give interviews. He doesn't make statements. This silence creates a vacuum that rumors love to fill. If a high-profile prisoner isn't in the news for a few years, people just assume the worst or the most dramatic conclusion.
The Parole Rollercoaster
If you want to understand where Larry Demery is now, you have to look at the mess that was his parole agreement.
Back in 2020, it looked like he was finally going home. The North Carolina Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission granted him parole through a program called MAPP (Mutual Agreement Parole Program). This wasn't a "get out of jail free" card; it was a three-year plan involving vocational training and good behavior.
His original release date was set for August 6, 2023.
Then things got weird.
- The first delay: His release date was suddenly pushed back to August 2024. The state cited "infractions" while he was in the program.
- The total shutdown: In a rare move, the commission completely terminated his parole agreement in late 2021.
- The current status: He’s back to serving a life sentence with periodic reviews.
The state is incredibly tight-lipped about why they yanked the deal. Usually, this happens because of a major disciplinary issue inside the walls—stuff like possessing contraband or getting into fights. Whatever it was, it was enough to convince the board that he wasn't ready for the outside world yet.
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What Really Happened in 1993?
To get why people are still so obsessed with this guy, you have to go back to that humid night in July '93. James Jordan was sleeping in his Lexus off U.S. 74 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
Demery and his friend Daniel Green were out looking to rob a motel. They saw the expensive car and shifted targets. According to Demery’s own testimony—which is what landed them both life sentences—they didn't even know who the man was until they started going through his pockets and saw the name on the credit cards.
They dumped the body in a South Carolina swamp. It was found 11 days later but wasn't identified for even longer because it was in such bad shape.
Demery took a plea deal. He testified against Green, claiming Green was the one who pulled the trigger. Green has spent the last 30 years saying the exact opposite. He admits to helping dump the body but swears he wasn't there when the shot was fired.
The Recanting Rumors
There’s another reason Larry Demery stays in the headlines.
Every few years, new evidence or a new statement surfaces. Not long ago, there were reports that Demery might have recanted some of his original testimony during conversations with Green’s legal team.
In the true crime world, a "recantation" is like a lightning bolt. It suggests the Larry Demery cause of death rumors might be overshadowed by a "Larry Demery exoneration" or at least a new trial for his co-defendant. However, the courts are notoriously slow and skeptical about these changes in heart decades after the fact.
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Health and Current Condition
While we’ve established he hasn't died, what about his health?
Prison isn't exactly a spa. Decades in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction take a toll. While there are no public records indicating he’s suffering from a terminal illness, the reality of aging in a high-security environment often leads to chronic issues.
Sometimes, a "medical transfer" within the prison system gets leaked and people jump to the conclusion that a prisoner is on their deathbed. As of today, Demery remains in the general or medium-custody population, depending on his current facility assignment.
Current Facts at a Glance:
- Status: Incarcerated.
- Location: North Carolina prison system.
- Parole Eligibility: Under review periodically, but currently denied.
- Cause of Death: N/A (Subject is alive).
The Bottom Line
If you see a headline today talking about the Larry Demery cause of death, take it with a huge grain of salt. Unless it’s referring to the former MLB pitcher, it’s almost certainly "fake news" or a misunderstanding of his revoked parole.
The James Jordan murder remains one of the most painful chapters in sports history. Because of that, the men responsible will always be under a microscope.
For now, Larry Demery is still serving his time. He’s a middle-aged man living with the consequences of a split-second decision he made as a teenager in 1993. Whether he ever sees the outside of a prison fence again is up to the North Carolina parole board, and based on their recent actions, they aren't in any hurry to let him go.
If you’re looking for more info, the best place to check is the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction's public offender search. It's the only way to get the most current, verified data on his location and status without the social media fluff.
Keep an eye on the official parole board records if you want the real story. They usually update their review schedules every December. That’s when we’ll find out if he’s even got a shot at a 2027 or 2028 release date.