A dead man was discovered under the tree with a rope around his neck; An investigation is still underway.
A convenience store on Vanco Mill Road, near Henderson, was where 21-year-old Javion Magee, of Illinois, was discovered on 9/11.
According to the sheriff's office, Magee was found near a medium tree base, sitting, with a rope around his neck. The tree was attached using the opposite end of the rope.
Family spokeswoman Candace Matthews told WRAL News that Maggie attended Longview High School in Texas and was a delivery truck driver.
The family considers Maggie's death a hate crime, according to Matthews.
“In my opinion, this is a hate crime because this young man had no indication of suicidal ideation,” Matthews said.
At a press conference on Friday, Vance County Sheriff Curtis R. Bream, that there is evidence that just before his murder, Magee stopped at Walmart to pick up a rope. Using GPS data from Maggie's delivery truck, the sheriff's office is building a timeline of events leading up to his death.
A GoFundMe fundraising page has been set up for Maggie's family.
