Suicide ruling disputed in death of black man found hanging from tree

Large protest held over weekend as case sheds light on second similar death

People marched in Palmdale, California, to demand an investigation into the death of 24-year-old Robert Fuller, who was found hanging from a tree early Wednesday near City Hall (Josie Huang/KPCC/LAist via AP)

Investigators in California are taking another look at the death of a black man found hanging from a tree in Los Angeles County after an outcry from his family.

An early report labelled the death as a suicide, but the family disagree, saying he was not suicidal, and have called for an independent investigation and autopsy.

The body of 24-year-old Robert Fuller was discovered in Poncitlan Square near Palmdale City Hall on 10 June. No note was found at the scene, but the Sheriff's department was quick to rule the death as a suicide, while also acknowledging its homicide team was still investigating.

Adding further confusion was a press release that linked the death to Covid-19-related depression, but with no clear evidence to back up that assumption.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office performed an autopsy on Friday, but has deferred announcing the cause of death while more information is gathered. This could include both test results or witness statements.

In Palmdale on Saturday, hundreds of protesters, including Mr Fuller’s sisters, marched from the park near city hall to the sheriff’s station. Many carried signs that read, “Justice for Robert Fuller.”

His sister Diamond Alexandria, speaking at the march, said: "We keep hearing one thing and then another. We just want to know the truth."

Meanwhile, an online petition demanding an investigation collected more than 200,000 signatures. Kim Kardashian West and Viola Davis are among the celebrities calling for a thorough and proper investigation into Mr Fuller's death.

The city has issued a statement supporting an independent inquiry, and three elected officials — county Supervisor Kathryn Barger, state Senator Scott Wilk of Santa Clarita, and Assemblyman Tom Lackey of Palmdale — urged California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the probe.

“The city of Palmdale is joining the family and the community's call for justice, and we do support a full investigation into his death,” said Palmdale Public Information Officer John Mlynar, NBC News reports. “We will settle for nothing less than a thorough accounting of this matter.”

“The city has already reached out to Mr Fuller's family, offering help and support, and will do everything possible to assist Mr Fuller's family during this difficult time as a complete vetting of his death is investigated,” Mr Mlynar said. The city joined the Fuller family in the call for an independent investigation and autopsy, he added.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva will hold an online town hall on Monday to address the death following large protests over the weekend.

Angel Fuller, centre, and Diamond Alexandria, right, Robert Fuller's sisters, attended a rally in the Palmdale park where the body of Mr Fuller was found hanging from a tree on 10 June. (Francisco Lozano via AP)

Disturbingly, this is the second time the body of a black man has been found hanging from a tree in Southern California in recent weeks.

Mr Fuller’s case brought more attention to a case on 31 May in Victorville, a desert city approximately 45 miles east of Palmdale.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said foul play was not suspected in the death of 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch. His family have said they were concerned it will be ruled a suicide to avoid further media attention and scrutiny.

“He didn't seem to be depressed to anyone who truly knew him,” Mr Harsch's family told reporters. “Everyone who knew our brother was shocked to hear that he allegedly hung himself and don't believe it to be true. The explanation of suicide does not seem plausible.”

The deaths of the two men come amid nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by police.