Federal, state and local authorities are investigating the death of an African-American man found hanging from a tree Thursday near the man's last known residence. (Source: CBSNews.com)
The body was discovered after an extensive search for the man, who was reported missing earlier this month. He had not been seen since March 2, and his family filed a missing persons report.
Law enforcement officials said it was not clear if the man's death was a murder or a suicide. (Source: ABCNews.com)
Although investigators did not immediately release the man's name, the Claiborne County NAACP and family members said it was Otis Byrd, 54. (Source: WTVJ.com)
"According to the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Byrd spent a little over 25 years in prison for the murder of Lucille Trimm in Claiborne County. Records show he robbed her of $101. He was convicted of capital murder on Feb. 8, 1980, and was paroled Nov. 2, 2006." (Source: The Clarion-Ledger)
The NAACP is asking the U.S. Dept. of Justice to investigate the hanging, according to Jackson, Miss., reporter C.J. LeMaster.
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