The family of 21-year-old Javion Magee, a truck driver from Chicago, is seeking answers after he was found dead from an apparent hanging in Henderson, North Carolina.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of questions and concerns on social media, particularly after a family member posted about the case on TikTok, prompting widespread attention.
In the TikTok post, Magee’s cousin claims the family was informed by police that Javion had allegedly purchased a rope from Walmart before hanging himself from a tree.
However, the family has voiced frustration with how the investigation has been handled, including their difficulty in viewing and identifying his body.
Vance County Sheriff Curtis R. Brame has since responded to the social media attention, telling ABC 11 that while the death has not been officially ruled a suicide, he does not believe it was a lynching.
“There’s been information put out there that there’s a lynching in Vance County. There is not a lynching in Vance County,” Sheriff Brame said. “The young man was not dangling from a tree… The rope was wrapped around his neck. It was not a noose.”
Despite these comments, Magee’s family continues to challenge the narrative surrounding his death. Candice Matthews, a spokesperson for the family, criticized the sheriff for seemingly backtracking on information initially shared with them.
“How can you say that it was a suicide? We have not even had the autopsy report. We haven’t had a full investigation,” Matthews told The Tribe.
The case has fueled speculation online, as many social media users have called for greater transparency and a thorough investigation.
The family’s campaign on TikTok, where the story has been shared widely, continues to raise awareness and push for answers about what really happened to Javion Magee.
Sheriff Brame has urged anyone with information about the case to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline, but the Magee family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice and clarity.
