Local authorities from Mississippi found a black man hanging dead from a tree on Thursday in Port Gibson, prompting them to investigate whether the man committed suicide or was murdered.

The man, identified as Otis James Byrd, 54, has been missing since March 2 as reported by his family. Byrd was reportedly dropped off by a friend at a casino on Vicksburg, near the area where his body was found, according to Claiborne County Sheriff Marvin Lucas.

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Jim Walker, the spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, when the body was found there were already signs of decay. This suggests that the body had been hanging from the tree for at least 24 hours.

The area where Byrd was seen is surrounded by black walnut trees and a lot of hunters hunt in the area.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has already petitioned a movement that the U.S. Department of Justice should look into the case. They feel as if the death of Byrd might have been a hate crime or was racially fueled.  

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is already working with local officials to try and solve the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney's office are also collaborating with each other in the case.

Byrd reportedly spent 25 years in prison for the murder of Lucille Trim, whom he allegedly robbed of US$101 before killing her. He was convicted of capital murder but was released two years ago due to a parole in November 2006.

The investigation is being called the "suspicious hanging death" and the autopsy results will be available by early this week. 

TagsRacism, black man, Mississippi, hanging from a tree, Otis James Byrd