Source: JOSEPH EID / Getty
Yesterday, we were all stunned with the harrowing news that 54-year-old man was found hanging from a tree in Mississippi. Today, we have more info in regards to his death.
Via NYDailyNews
Federal authorities are investigating the discovery of a missing African-American man who was found hanging from a tree in Mississippi during a ground search Thursday.
The remains were discovered in woods a half-mile from the man’s last known residence in Claiborne County, about 60 miles southwest of Jackson, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack told the Daily News.
The NAACP’s local branch identified the man as 54-year-old Otis James Byrd, who vanished nearly three weeks ago, MSNewsNow reported.
He was last seen when a friend dropped him off at Vicksburg’s Riverwalk Casino, approximately 30 miles north of where the body was found.
While there was much speculation as to whether or not this death was a murder or a suicide, it sounds like we might have some answers…
A relative told the L.A. Times that police told the family that Byrd’s hands were tied, but he managed to work them free and tried to loosen the noose.
“They’re talking about it might be a hate crime,” Byrd’s nephew, Lee Kendrick Byrd, told the newspaper.
In an email to The News, Pack did not say whether foul play is suspected at this time and did not confirm the man’s identity as Byrd. He said the man found Thursday had been missing since March 2, the same date Byrd was reported missing.
Officials described the man to WAPT News as found hanging by a bed sheet around his neck. His hands were not tied up and he was wearing a skull cap on his head.
Smh, this is just a damn shame… can a black man catch a break? Or are we going to forever be the hunted?
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