The tragic death of a 21-year-old Black man in North Carolina has sparked widespread concern and suspicion, particularly on social media. Javion Magee, a truck driver from the Chicago area, was found dead on Wednesday in a rural part of Vance County, North Carolina, just off Vanco Mill Road. Investigators discovered Magee with his back against a tree and a rope around his neck, not far from the truck he had been driving.
Magee had traveled to Henderson, North Carolina, to make a delivery to a Walmart distribution center. His family, who remain in Chicago, are now demanding transparency and answers from the Vance County Sheriff's Office regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. Many on social media have suggested foul play, further fueling rumors of a potential lynching.
Sheriff Curtis R. Brame, however, has pushed back against these allegations. Speaking with ABC11 on Friday, Brame emphasized that there were no signs of foul play in Magee’s death, and that evidence pointed to him purchasing the rope from a nearby Walmart shortly before the incident. Despite this statement, the sheriff declined to offer further details on the investigation.
In response to social media accusations that the sheriff's office has not been transparent with the family, Brame stated, "There's been information put out there that there's a lynching in Vance County. There is not a lynching in Vance County." He continued to clarify that Magee was found sitting against the tree, with the rope around his neck, but emphasized that the situation did not involve a noose or any traditional signs of a lynching.
However, Magee's family remains deeply suspicious. Their spokesperson, Candice Matthews, expressed frustration, saying, "A lot of this stuff does not pass the smell test and that's a problem. The entire family is completely mortified and they are hurt. They just want to know what happened to their loved one."
Locals in Henderson also voiced concerns, pointing to the region's history of racial violence. "We do live in the South, and there's a deep history of racism and racist acts," said Khalil Gay, a Henderson resident. "So people are obviously concerned about that."
Magee’s body has been sent to the medical examiner for an autopsy, which will provide an official cause of death. Meanwhile, the community—and Magee’s family—await answers.
