Police will investigate the death of Robert Fuller, a 24-year-old Black man, who was found hanging from a tree in Southern California early Friday.
Fuller was found hanging in a park in front of Palmdale City Hall in Poncitlán Square around 3:39 a.m.
Authorities initially believed Fuller committed suicide. The body showed no signs of a struggle and the scene was undisturbed, which would have indicated others hoisted his body into the tree.
But Fuller’s sister, Diamond Alexander insisted her brother was not suicidal.
Sheriff’s Captain Ron Shaffer said homicide detectives are now investigating the circumstances leading to his death to determine if foul play was involved.
The news comes after police confirmed a second Black man was found hanging from a tree on May 31 in Victorville – about 45 miles east of Palmdale.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s spokeswoman Jodi Miller said foul play was not suspected in Harsch’s death.
Harsch, 38, was found hanging from a tree near the Victorville City Library.
On Saturday, hundreds of protesters gathered under the tree where Fuller’s body was found.
After placing a memorial with balloons and flowers, the crowd marched from the park to the sheriff’s station. Many carried signs that read “Justice for Robert Fuller.”
More than 100,000 people signed an online petition demanding a full investigation into Fuller’s death.
