Following Robert Fuller, Three New Hangings Reported In Victorville, CA, NYC & Houston
Last week it was reported that Robert Fuller was found hanging from a tree in a park in Palmdale, CA.
Following news of Robert Fuller's death in Palmdale, CA, two new hangings of Black men have been reported in Victorville, CA, and New York City.
In a report from local news outlet the Daily Press, Malcolm Harsch was found hanging in a tree near a homeless encampment on May 31. Sheriff's officials arrived at the encampment that morning after receiving a call from a woman who said her boyfriend hung himself.
"The caller said she and (her) boyfriend ... had been together during the morning, but she had since returned to her tent for a short period of time," Sheriff's officials said. "She was alerted by others in the encampment that Mr. Harsch was found hanging from a tree and cut down. People in the encampment were performing CPR, attempting to revive Mr. Harsch."
An investigation by a coroner also took place at the encampment, with Sheriff's officials saying that no evidence was found to "suggest foul play," before adding that, "Detectives from the Victorville Police Department are continuing to investigate the death of Mr. Harsch. Detectives have interviewed several people who were at or near the location at the time of the incident."
Harsch's family has since issued a statement on the 38-year-old's death.
"There are many ways to die but considering the current racial tension, a Black man hanging himself from a tree definitely doesn’t sit well with us right now," the family said. "We want justice, not comfortable excuses."
An autopsy was conducted last Friday, with Sheriff's officials stating that "Although there remains no sign of foul play, the forensic pathologist is waiting for toxicology results before assigning the cause and manner of death."
Recently, Dominique Alexander was found hanging from a tree in a Manhattan park on June 9. In a report from the New York Daily News, the 27-year-old's death was ruled a suicide. In a separate report from Patch.com, a NYPD spokesperson said the investigation into Alexander's death is ongoing.
In Houston, it was recently reported that a Black teen was found hanging outside of an elementary school. According to ABC 13, the teen was found Tuesday night; the Harris County Sheriff's Office said the teen's death appears to have been a suicide.
"Based on security video, witnesses and other evidence, preliminary indications are the male hanged himself. There are currently no signs of foul play. Cause of death is pending autopsy," the sheriff's office wrote in a tweet.