Authorities in Palmdale vowed to look into Robert Fuller’s death after a medical examiner refused to label the death a suicide
Protesters gather at the Palmdale sheriff’s station to demand an investigation into Robert Fuller’s death. The 24-year-old black man was found hanging from a tree near city hall.
Photograph: Ringo Chiu/Reuters
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Palmdale in southern California on Saturday to demand a full investigation into the death of a 24-year-old black man found hanging from a tree near city hall.
Authorities in the southern California city vowed on Friday to investigate the death of Robert Fuller, after the Los Angeles county medical examiner deferred an earlier decision labeling the cause of death as suicide pending a full autopsy.
Community members had confronted city officials at a contentious news briefing Friday, asking why they were quick to label Fuller’s death on Wednesday a suicide and demanding an independent autopsy.
On Saturday, protesters marched from the park where Fuller was found to the Los Angeles county sheriff’s station, demanding a full investigation into the man’s death. Many carried signs that said “Justice for Robert Fuller”.
Fuller’s sister addressed the crowd near Palmdale’s city hall. “We want to find out the truth on what really happened,” Diamond Alexander said, according to the LATimes. “We just want the truth. My brother was not suicidal. He was a survivor. He was street smart.”
Sheriff’s Capt Ron Shaffer said homicide detectives were investigating the circumstances leading to Fuller’s death to determine if foul play was involved. Investigators have been in contact with Fuller’s family, Palmdale officials said.
The city said there were no outdoor cameras that could have recorded what happened.
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In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
