VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Video has confirmed there wasn’t any foul play in the death of a black man found hanging from a tree at a Southern California homeless encampment, authorities said Friday.
Malcolm Harsch, 38, was found May 31 in a dirt field in Victorville, a desert city northeast of Los Angeles.
“After reviewing the site and actual video footage with detectives, it is with a heavy heart that we now know the cause and manner of death,” said a statement issued by Harsch’s family.
The statement thanked investigators and added: “We urge you all to continue your efforts concerning the hanging deaths of African Americans. If you or someone you know may be suicidal please seek help.”
Harsch’s girlfriend called 911 the morning of May 31 to report that he had hanged himself, according to a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The woman said they had been together earlier in the morning but separated for a brief time when she returned to her tent.
People in the encampment cut down Harsch. But efforts to revive him failed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy didn’t find any sign of foul play, the Sheriff’s Department said.
Detectives also got surveillance video from a nearby vacant building that “confirmed the absence of foul play,” the statement said.
“Although there remains no sign of foul play, the forensic pathologist is waiting for toxicology results before assigning the cause and manner of death,” the statement added.
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