Black man’s hanging death in CA under investigation after authorities rule it a suicide

City officials in Palmdale, Calif. are calling for an investigation into the death of Robert Fuller, a 24-year-old man who was found dead hanging from a tree near Palmdale City Hall.

Authorities initially determined he died by suicide, but on Saturday, Paldale city officials announced they are “officially supporting the call for an independent investigation and an independent autopsy,” local media reported. 

The move comes after protesters gathered inside and outside City Hall on Friday to demand a more thorough probe into Fuller’s death. 

In Palmdale, rally getting underway for #JUSTICEFORROBERTFULLER. Possible suicide explanation from @LASDHQ isn’t satisfying protesters.

Says Laurielle Stewart “if you can suggest suicide, I can suggest a lynching.” pic.twitter.com/fu5iYvgscn

— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) June 13, 2020

The city reportedly said they are “joining the family and the community’s call for justice, and we do support a full investigation into his death. We will settle for nothing less than a thorough accounting of this matter.”

Two days after Fuller’s body was found, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reportedly said that “although the investigation is on-going, it appears Mr. Fuller, tragically, committed suicide.”

Several public figures, including Kim Kardashian, took to social media and urged people to sign a petition demanding “security footage in Poncitlán Square to be presented and audio of the call placed when his body was found.”

Robert Fuller was found dead June 10, 2020, hanging from a tree outside City Hall Palmdale. Sign this petition to demand for a thorough and proper investigation #JusticeforRobertFuller https://t.co/czUqCrmE8m

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 12, 2020