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Disbelieving ... Claudia Lacy, Lennon’s mum, does not believe her youngest son took his own life. Source: AP
THE FBI is looking into the death of a black teen after his family questioned the official ruling the boy found hanging from a swing set at a trailer park had committed suicide.
An emergency caller found 17-year-old Lennon Lacy hanging by a dog leash and a belt August 29 in the town of Bladenboro, North Carolina, his feet 5 centimetres off the ground.
Lacy’s mother and supporters with the North Carolina chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Color People said there are too many unanswered questions after the state medical examiner ruled the teen had killed himself.
North Carolina DA Jon David held a press conference in Bladen County Friday afternoon to discuss the ongoing investigation into the death of 17yo Lennon Lacy.
District Attorney Jon David confirmed to The Associated Press through a spokeswoman Friday that the FBI is involved in the case. NAACP attorneys also confirmed that the FBI will review the case.
The teen’s mother, Claudia Lacy, said she doesn’t believe her son hanged himself.
“When I saw him, I just knew automatically he didn’t do that to himself,†Claudia Lacy said in an interview Monday. “Seventeen years old — he had no reason to. I know my child. As a mother, I would have sensed if something was wrong to the point that he was going to harm himself.â€
NFL fan ... Lennon was a middle linebacker on his school football team. Source: Instagram
‘No reason to do it’ ... The last time Mrs Lacy saw him alive, Lennon was getting ready for a game. Source: Instagram
The last time Mrs Lacy saw her youngest of four sons alive, the middle linebacker was getting ready to play a Friday night high school football game.
About 13 hours later, she was identifying his body in the back of ambulance.
The body was found hanging in the trailer park where about 10 trailers face the playground.
The Reverend William Barber, president of the chapter of the NAACP, and attorneys for the civil rights organisation met with the US attorney to seek a federal investigation. He said many questions remain unanswered, including why the teen was hanging from a dog leash and a belt he didn’t own.
“We don’t know what happened that terrible night,†Barber said. The NAACP plans a march Saturday in Bladenboro.
Teresa West, a spokeswoman with the State Bureau of Investigation, said agents have addressed all viable leads. David said in a recent statement he has seen no evidence of foul play. Police chief, Chris Hunt, referred all questions to the State Bureau of Investigation.