Black Man Found Hanging From a Tree in Piedmont Park

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Taylor Carlington

Feature Writer at RYSE

Taylor Carlington is a Journalism and Marketing Communications student at Emerson College who enjoys writing about social issues and pop culture.

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As the country still reels from the murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile another black man was found dead this morning in Atlanta.

The body of a young black male was found hanging from a tree by a rope by police around 5 a.m Thursday morning in Piedmont Park. He was pronounced dead when emergency officials arrived.

Although police and medical examiners say the death was consistent with a suicide, many have doubts due to the presence of the Ku Klux Klan.  Members of the klan were seen in the area the day before passing out flyers. Many believe the killing was a result of a modern day lynching.

Many shared the skepticism of suicide online:

the fact that it was ruled a suicide so quickly despite him being hanged at a KKK meeting place makes me so mad #PiedmontParkHanging

— doniya (@MCCANNSZIAMS) July 7, 2016

Unless that man's name was #ClaytonBigsby no Black man, nor woman, is going to commit suicide by public tree? hanging. #PiedmontParkHanging

— srburris (@srburris) July 7, 2016

this is just another modern day lynching. Same concept different name #PiedmontParkHanging

— svrreal (@xo_bluedreams) July 7, 2016

Why so quick to name cause of death?? Y'all in a rush or something? #PiedmontParkHanging

— Shay Monea (@itsShayMonea) July 7, 2016

So the moment someone has a name that sounds middle eastern we associate them with terrorism but no one blames kkk?! #PiedmontParkHanging

— Tinkerbell (@Charm_ingx) July 7, 2016

Find out every officers name that's investigating #PiedmontParkHanging and see if they have ANY ties to the KKK.

— Magnificent (@Ironyisfunny8) July 7, 2016

Imma blame the KKK until we get a name and suicide note #piedmontparkhanging

— kylie.lynn (@kylie_kangaroo) July 7, 2016

11 hours later and we still don't have a name. #PiedmontParkHanging

— bey. (@BSayP) July 7, 2016

According to the Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, the case has been turned over to the FBI. Despite officials suggesting suicide, Mayor Reed believes there was foul play afoot. The investigation is ongoing.

At the time of this article’s publishing the name of the man has not been released but it has been revealed that the victim was a young male.