Black Man Found
HANGING In Mississippi
BY JAMAL PHILLIPS
O
tis Byrd, 54, was missing since March 2 and reported missing March 8. Authorities found his body hanging from a tree in the woods behind his residence in Claiborne County, Mississippi on March 19, according to USA Today. It is unclear if it is a suicide, or if the man was killed by someone. The family strongly believes that Byrd did not commit suicide. There are two investigations with authorities from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation on the scene. Byrd’s body was found hanging from a bed sheet.
CNN reported that Willie Shorter, Byrd’s father, was told of his son’s death by a local pastor. “I was mad,” Shorter said, describing the emotions he felt. “How would you feel if it was your child hanging from a tree?” He said that he’s not visiting the site and has been trying to cope. His friends say they dropped him off at a casino in Vicksburg on March 2. Before going to print, the family was still demanding answers and authorities were still trying to find forensic evidence to prove if Byrd was killed. PERSPECTIVES 7