A Florida family wants answers after a black man was found dead hanging from a tree last Sunday near Camping World Stadium.
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22-year-old Nevan Baker was found around 3:45 a.m. in the Washington Shores neighborhood in Orlando. Although the Orlando Police Department has ruled his death as a suicide, Baker’s mother Sharhonda James says his injuries do not fit his cause of death. When she went to view his body in the morgue, James noticed he had swelling on his nose, bumps across his forehead, and a crooked jaw. She also requested the OPD to see crime scene photos and her son’s body when it was found.
“My son didn’t hang himself, I know my child. We’re not going to let this go; the community is not going to let this go,”
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According to the Orlando Sentinel, the OPD said in a statement that they have exhausted all “leads” and said there was no evidence of foul play while conducting the investigation.
“Officers have exhausted all leads and, at this time, there is no evidence of foul play or any kind of physical struggle. This is a tragic case of suicide. … We are keeping the victim, his family, and friends in our thoughts during this difficult time.”
Blake’s death has sparked outrage on social media and users are bringing awareness with the hashtag #JusticeforNevan. A GoFundMe page was created to help the family with funeral expenses and has surpassed its goal of $3,600.