Multiple Investigations Into Hanging Death of Mississippi Man

The FBI and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division are investigating the death of an African-American man who was found hanging from a tree in Mississippi. Investigators don’t know whether the death was a suicide or a homicide, but local civil-rights leaders are calling for authorities to determine whether it was a racially motivated hate crime.

CNN reported Mar. 20:

The sheriff’s office in Claiborne County, Mississippi, had organized a search for the man, who had been missing since March 2 and was reported missing March 8. Authorities said the man’s body was found with a bed sheet tied around his neck and a skull cap on his head, hanging from a tree. The man’s hands were not tied up.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack said that it’s unclear how the man died, and “it is too early to say what happened and speculate.” …

The FBI and Mississippi Bureau of Investigations have not released the man’s name, but a law enforcement official said he’s believed to be 54-year-old Otis Byrd, and both the Claiborne County chapter of the NAACP and family members have confirmed his identity. …

The state NAACP is calling for a full investigation into the death.

“Considering Mr. Byrd’s body was found hanging from a tree, we are calling on federal authorities to immediately investigate to determine whether his death is a result of a racial hate crime,” stated Derrick Johnson, state president Mississippi NAACP.

Read more and watch a video report here.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.