Man found dead beneath tree with rope around his neck near Henderson

An investigation is underway after a man was found dead beneath a tree in Vance County with a rope around his neck.

Javion Magee, 21, who lives in Illinois, was found Sept. 11 in a parking lot on Vanco Mill Road, near Henderson, according to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Candice Matthews, who identified herself as a spokesperson for Magee’s family, told WRAL News that he graduated from Longview High School in east Texas.

Magee was a delivery truck driver, and his truck was parked in the lot where he was found. A search of the truck yielded the cellphone and ID that helped law enforcement know who he was.

Magee was found in a seated position near the base of a medium-sized tree with a rope wrapped around his neck, according to Vance County Sheriff Curtis R. Brame. The other end of the rope was attached to the tree.

Magee's family claims they were told he died by suicide

Matthews claims that law enforcement told the family Magee died by suicide.

In a Friday interview, Brame denied that, saying, “at no point in time have we said this was a suicide.”

That was the assumption of a person who called 911 to report Magee's death. That person, who identified himself as a first responder, told dispatchers, "I think he hung himself in a tree."

Matthews said the family suspects foul play in Magee’s death and does not believe he took his own life.

"In my opinion, it's a hate crime, because this young man had no indication of suicidal ideation," Matthews said. “He doesn’t have a history of mental illness at all.”

On Saturday, Matthews said their suspicion of foul play was based on the fact that nothing was found under Magee's fingernails or hands. Matthews provided a statement.

"The family spoken to the medical examiner on yesterday in regard to the preliminary results…Based on the information provided the family still suspects foul play due to there was nothing under his fingernails or hands….He did have a broken neck with blood around the neck which came from the hanging…. They also feel that this entire investigation is no way transparent."

Brame pushed back against social media rumors that Magee may have been lynched.

“If I thought that anyone, regardless of their race, would lynch in Vance County, I would have it all over national news,” he said.

Brame added that Magee’s body was found in an upright position not “hanging or swinging” from the tree. There was no noose or knot, the sheriff said.

Law enforcement responded to a 911 call when Magee’s body was found, the sheriff said. Investigators are still working to learn who made the call.

The sheriff said the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will officially determine the cause of death. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed Friday.

The sheriff's office asked the Vance County District Attorney's Office and the State Bureau of Investigation to assist in the investigation.

“What looks obvious may not be true … that’s why we called for outside investigation,” Brame said.

Brame said evidence shows Magee purchased a rope from a Walmart, where he had stopped for a delivery before his death, but Magee’s family is skeptical of that information.

If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

Timeline of Magee's final moments

A search warrant in the case lays out the timeline of Magee's last hours, as captured on surveillance cameras. The sheriff's office used GPS from Magee's delivery truck to track his movements before his death.

• Sept. 10 at 4:20 p.m.: Magee was seen on surveillance cameras at Walmart purchasing the rope that was found with his body.

  

  
• Sept. 10 at 6:28 p.m.: Magee was seen going into an out of a Hampton Inn on Ruin Creek Road in Henderson.
• Sept. 10 at 6:38 p.m.: Magee leaves the Hampton Inn.
• Surveillance cameras in the area where his body was found show Magee pull up in his truck and walk toward the direction of the tree where his body was found the next day, Sept. 11, around 10 a.m.

Investigation continues as family asks for transparency

Brame said because Magee’s cause of death remains unknown, law enforcement has not identified any possible suspects.

On Friday, Brame expressed his condolences to Magee’s loved ones and asked the family and public for patience as "necessary evidence" is collected.

Magee’s family has hired nationally-recognized civil rights attorneys, saying their story does not align with that of law enforcement.

"We have a lot of questions, not enough answers," Matthews said. "This does not sound logical at all ... we want to see everything that pertains to the investigative process. We want full transparency.”

Vance County District Attorney Mike Waters said his office has been advising law enforcement throughout the investigation into Magee's death.

"We would always want to remember that we're trying to give information to victims of crime and families; enough so they can draw some conclusions and hopefully understand the process," he said. "That is very helpful with respect to their grief, but in the end, information sometimes, if it leaked out, could damage an investigation."

Waters added that the case is "proceeding just as any other suspicious death would."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vance County Sheriff's Office at 252-738-2200. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925.