The family of 21-year-old truck driver Javion Magee, who was discovered deceased in Henderson, North Carolina, is seeking clarity from officials regarding the circumstances of his death. Reports initially indicated that he was found hanging from a tree; however, Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame stated during a recent interview that Magee was not found dangling from the tree, dismissing claims of it being a lynching.
Magee, who was in Henderson making a delivery to a Walmart Supercenter on September 10, was reportedly seen later that day purchasing various items, including a rope. According to police documentation, deputies located Magee’s body outside a fenced area, seated at the base of a tree, with a rope around his neck and the other end affixed to a tree.
The family has raised concerns about the police’s narrative, emphasizing the need for answers regarding what transpired after Magee completed his delivery. Initially, authorities informed Magee’s parents that his death was a suicide. Civil rights activist Candice Matthews, acting as a spokesperson for the family, challenged this conclusion, highlighting the absence of an autopsy report and a comprehensive investigation.
Matthews expressed skepticism given that Magee reportedly had no history of mental health issues or criminal behavior, questioning the plausibility of suicide under the given circumstances. The Henderson Police Department clarified that the Vance County Sheriff’s Office is managing the investigation since the incident falls within its jurisdiction.
In a statement, Sheriff Brame confirmed that authorities received a report of a deceased person on September 11. Upon arrival, deputies found Magee in the described position. His body was subsequently sent to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for further examination, and the case remains under investigation.
The family is advocating for a transparent inquiry and has called on federal authorities to classify Magee’s death as a hate crime. They have enlisted civil rights attorneys Lee Merritt and Harry Daniels for legal support and plan to hold a press conference in North Carolina soon to address the situation further.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Magee’s death to reach out to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office or the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers. This is an evolving story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.