FBI Investigating Missing Black Man Hanging From Tree in Mississippi

The FBI has launched a preliminary investigation into the death of a black man found hanging from a tree in Clairborne, Mississippi.

Published

9 years ago

March 19, 2015

Unheard Voices Staff

Otis Byrd Missing Black Man Hanging From Tree in Mississippi To Be Investigated By FBI Otis Byrd

Photo Source: deathandtaxesmag.com

The FBI has launched a preliminary investigation into the death of a missing Black man found hanging from a tree in Clairborne, Mississippi.

Local law enforcement officials found the Otis Byrd’s body in the woods near his home, the FBI said. The officials were conducting a search for the man who had been missing since early this month.

The county sheriff said the body was hanging from a bed sheet.

It is not yet known whether the man was killed or took his own life.

FBI To Investigate Missing Black Man Hanging From Tree

CNN Reports:
A law enforcement official says the man found hanging is believed to be 54-year-old Otis Byrd, who has been missing since earlier this month. According to the MS Department of Corrections, Byrd was convicted in 1980 for murdering a woman. He was paroled in 2006.

At this point there are two parallel investigations: one by local authorities into the death and one by the FBI into whether there may be any federal civil rights violations. The FBI has a forensics team on the scene in Mississippi in part because the bureau has responsibility for federal civil rights law.

The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi are also investigating the death, according to a spokeswoman for the Justice Department.

According to a statement from the FBI, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is also on the scene.

“Earlier in the day, the Claiborne County Sheriffs Department and the Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks conducted a ground search for a man who had been missing since early March. Officers located a man hanging in the woods near Roddy Road a half mile from his last known residence,” according to the FBI statement.

“The sheriff’s department contacted the MBI and FBI for forensic and investigative assistance. Investigators are currently processing the scene for evidence to determine the cause and manner of death,” according to the FBI.

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Marine from Massachusetts goes missing off coast in Puerto Rico

A family is holding out hope after U.S. Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru went missing on March 27 off the coast in Puerto Rico.

Published

3 weeks ago

April 7, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Natasha Castillo-Vargas and Corporal Samuel Muturi Wanjiru (Photo Source: GoFundMe)

A family is holding out hope after U.S. Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru went missing on March 27 off the coast in Puerto Rico.

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Missing details for Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru

Corporal Samuel Wanjiru, 26, of Worcester, Mass., was swept away by ocean currents while being in the water at La Pared beach in Luquillo.

The Coast Guard launched helicopters and aircraft to look for Wanjiru, but those search efforts were unsuccessful. The active search was called off on April 1.

At the time of his disappearance, Wanjiru was vacationing with his partner of five years, Natasha Castillo-Vargas.

Castillo-Vargas, her father, and Wanjiru’s mother are still in Puerto Rico, returning to the beach daily where Wanjiru went missing, continuing to look for him.

GoFundMe

She has since started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with expenses and search efforts while they remain in Puerto Rico.

“Samuel’s mother and I are trying to get as much resources and help as we can because we will not give up hope in finding our Samuel. Please, anything anyone can help with would be most appreciated.”

In addition to donations, the family asks the public for prayers and love during this “devastating and heart aching time.”

“We are firm believers in God as Samuel is too and we have faith that he will be found. Thank you for your support!”

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Baltimore police searching for kidnapped 4-year-old

4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers was reportedly kidnapped in front of his West Baltimore home.

Published

2 months ago

March 5, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Kaimir Rodgers (Photo Source: Baltimore Police)

Update: The search for 4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers has been called off. Baltimore police say he was found safe and unharmed at a family member’s home in Baltimore County.

Detectives are still investigating it as a kidnapping.

Authorities in Baltimore are seeking the public’s help in finding 4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers.

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4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers is missing

According to police, Kaimir was taken from his family’s home in the 1900 block of Ruxton Avenue in West Baltimore on Tuesday. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt.

Police shared a video of the child being carried away by a person wearing light gray sweatpants, a dark gray hoodie and pink sneakers.

The person is seen accompanied by two other people, according to police. One is dressed in all black and the other is seen wearing a light gray sweatshirt, dark gray pants and a black ski mask.

Information on his disappearance

If you have any information on Kaimir’s whereabouts and the identities of those who took him, call 911 or Baltimore detectives at 410-396-2477.

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FBI offers $15K reward in search for missing 12-year-old girl

The FBI is seeking the public’s help in locating 12-year-old Lori Paige.

Published

2 months ago

February 21, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Lori Paige

The FBI is seeking the public’s help in locating 12-year-old Lori Paige.

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Missing details

Lori went missing from Tallahassee, Floria on June 3, 2023.

Authorities is offering $15k on any information on Lori’s disappearance.

“The FBI will stop at nothing to protect kids, and we are fully committed to helping our partners at Tallahassee Police Department exhaust every investigative resource in the search for Lori Paige,” FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis told WTXL news station.

“We encourage everyone to keep an eye out for this young lady, and help us bring her home.”

According to the FBI, Lori has ties to or may visit Tallahassee, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Thomasville, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee.

Authorities are taking the missing case seriously, statimh in a media advisory on Feb. 1 that TPD’s Special Victims Unit is continuing to “tirelessly explore every lead and resource to locate [Lori Paige].”

“The length of time that has passed and her young age only heightens our concerns for her well-being,” the statement said.

“Despite our persistent efforts, Lori remains out of contact with her family and friends. However, we remain committed to bringing her home safely.

About Lori Paige

The 12-year-old was a student at Griffin Middle School.

She was last seen on June 3, 2023 in the 1200 block of Continental Ct in Tallahassee.

She is described as a dark-skinned Black female with shoulder length locs, black hair, brown eyes and weighs about 120 pounds.

Police said that it is unknown what she was wearing when she was last seen, but she may have had a multicolored backpack.

Police are asking anyone with information that could lead to Lori’s recovery to contact TPD at 850-891-4200.

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