Family members and the public are urging for transparency from authorities following the death of Javion Magee in Vance County.
Magee, a 21-year-old truck driver from Aurora, Illinois, was discovered deceased in a rural area off Vanco Mill Road on Wednesday. According to investigators, he was found not far from his truck, positioned against a tree with a rope around his neck. Magee was in Henderson to deliver goods to the Walmart distribution center.
Dr. Candice Matthews, representing the family, described Magee as a kind and joyous person who loved his family and his job. She expressed confusion over the circumstances of his death, especially after the Vance County Sheriff’s Office indicated it was a suicide.
Sheriff Curtis Brame confirmed that there were no signs of foul play, but the case is still under investigation. Matthews stated that the family spoke to the medical examiner and questioned the preliminary findings, considering aspects of the scene such as the absence of defensive wounds. A search warrant revealed surveillance footage showing Magee purchasing a rope at Walmart, which matched the one found at the scene. He was recorded wearing the same attire later when he was discovered.
The timeline shows that shortly after buying the rope, Magee checked into the Hampton Inn but left without renting a room. Surveillance footage then captured his truck entering Vanco Mill Road where he was later found.
The incident has drawn concern from civil rights activists and local residents, who are also demanding clarity and access to the video footage for the family. Rev. William Barber II emphasized the need for thorough investigation, particularly given the historical context surrounding similar cases involving African Americans.
Sheriff Brame noted that the state attorney general and the State Bureau of Investigation are now engaged in the inquiry. While no official cause of death has been established, the sheriff stated that there were currently no indications of struggle, and the office is awaiting toxicology results.
As the investigation unfolds, Magee’s family continues to seek answers and hopes for accountability and justice. Matthews remarked that they are committed to ensuring that the family achieves some form of closure.