Family of Javion Magee demands answers as sheriff rejects lynching claims

Magee’s death in North Carolina raises questions about the investigation, with his family pushing for transparency.

The death of Javion Magee, a 21-year-old truck driver from Chicago, continues to spark questions and demands for answers as his family seeks transparency from authorities.

Magee was found dead on September 11 in a rural area off Vanco Mill Road, near his truck, with a rope around his neck, leaning against a tree. He had traveled to Henderson, North Carolina, to make a delivery to the Walmart distribution center.

Magee’s death first came to public attention through his cousin, a TikTok user known as @scottieprimpin, who shared details of the incident and urged viewers to spread awareness. @scottieprimpin has also addressed online rumors accusing Magee of criminal activity, attributing these assumptions to racial bias. The case quickly gained traction on social media, with many users speculating about the possibility of foul play, particularly lynching.

However, Vance County Sheriff Curtis R. Brame, who is leading the investigation, has dismissed these claims. According to Brame, there are no indications of foul play, and Magee’s death has been ruled a suicide. “There’s been information put out there that there’s a lynching in Vance County. There is not a lynching in Vance County,” Brame stated, clarifying that Magee was not found hanging but rather leaning against the tree.

“The rope was wrapped around his neck. It was not a noose. There was not a knot in the rope, so therefore, it was not a lynching.” -Sheriff Brame.

Preliminary autopsy results have not provided a definitive cause of death, though they did reveal signs of hemorrhaging around Magee’s neck. Authorities are awaiting toxicology results, which could take time to finalize. Despite this, Sheriff Brame emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and thorough. “We’re going down every avenue, every aspect of all the information,” he said, confirming that investigators are even tracking Magee's GPS data for additional clues.

Magee’s family, however, remains skeptical of the suicide ruling and is pushing for greater transparency. The family has hired prominent civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels, based in Atlanta, and Lee Merritt from Philadelphia, to represent them. According to Daniels, the authorities have yet to provide any concrete evidence supporting the suicide conclusion. He also raised concerns about the family being denied the opportunity to view Magee’s body, questioning the transparency of the investigation. Daniels told The News & Observer, “How can the police expect us to believe them when they won’t even let this family view the body?”

Daniels further criticized the authorities for labeling Magee’s death a suicide before completing a thorough investigation, calling the statement “premature,” especially given the historical racial tensions in the South. The family’s legal team also includes Jason Keith, a lawyer based in Greensboro, North Carolina.

In addition to the legal action, the NAACP North Carolina has expressed its “deep concern” over the circumstances of Magee’s death, calling for a comprehensive and transparent investigation. “As a community, we cannot rest until we have clear answers,” said Deborah Dicks Maxwell, president of NAACP North Carolina.