Content warning: This article discusses suicide.
United States police have said they will investigate the hanging deaths of two black men in southern California, following demands from activists and family members who reject suggestions they were suicides.
Local authorities said on Monday there is no evidence of foul play but will review local investigations into the deaths of Robert Fuller in Palmdale and Malcolm Harsch in Victorville.
Robert Fuller, 24
Mr Fuller was found on 10 June in Palmdale, a city north of Los Angeles, with his death initially deemed by officials as a suicide.
His body was found by a passerby at 3:39am on Wednesday morning, according to the
“Personnel from the adjacent fire station (Station 24) responded and determined the victim was deceased.
“Although the investigation is ongoing, it appears Mr Fuller, tragically, committed suicide. A full autopsy is anticipated in the immediate future.”
Thousands of protesters gathered on Saturday in Palmdale to remember Mr Fuller, with family members dismissing the idea that he would take his own life and calling for a full investigation.
“My brother was not suicidal. He wasn’t,” Mr Fuller's sister, Diamond Alexander, said at the Saturday rally.
“Everything that they’ve been telling us has not been right… we’ve been hearing one thing, then we hear another. And we just want to know the truth.”
Tommie Anderson, a close friend of Mr Fuller, described him as "the sweetest person you know."
"He had the biggest smile, the best laugh," she told the local ABC station. "He could make two people who didn't like each other sit in a room together."
Mr Fuller's death took place as protests over police brutality and racism have roiled American cities in recent weeks following the death of George Floyd while in custody in Minneapolis.
Robert Fuller, 24, was found last Wednesday across from City Hall in Palmdale, with his death initially deemed by officials as a suicide. Source: Robert Fuller Family via Najee Ali
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has responded to the demands from family members and others, pledging on Monday that a “thorough” investigation will be conducted.
"It is in our interest to make sure that we leave no rock unturned," Mr Villanueva told a news conference, adding that he had contacted the state attorney general and had reached out to the FBI.
"This death investigation obviously is of great concern to the community, not only of Palmdale, but throughout the nation… Robert Fuller was a young man in the prime of his life, and his death obviously is painful for many people."
Mr Villanueva said investigators plan to seek out surveillance video and conduct forensic analysis of the rope used in Mr Fuller's death and look into his medical history.
They also plan to speak with his family and the witnesses who found him.
"They're gonna stick to it 'til they get to the truth of what happened," Mr Villanueva said.
Malcolm Harsch, 38
Questions have also been raised following the death last month of another black man about 80 kilometres east of Palmdale.
Mr Harsch was found on 31 May hanging from a tree near a homeless encampment in Victorville.
The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department said no foul play is suspected but his family has raised concerns.
Malcolm Harsch, 38, was found on May 31 hanging from a tree near a homeless encampment in Victorville, California. Source: Malcolm Harsch's famly via KTLA5
"He didn't seem to be depressed to anyone who truly knew him," his family told reporters.
"Everyone who knew our brother was shocked to hear that he allegedly hung himself and don't believe it to be true. The explanation of suicide does not seem plausible."
The family said they believe the death to be suspicious and that Mr Harsch was not depressed or suicidal.
In a statement released on Saturday, Mr Harsch's family said they are worried his death will be deemed a suicide to avoid further attention.
Toxicology results are yet to be released so the official cause of death has not yet been determined.
His sister, Harmonie Harsch, said they have questions.
"We are really just trying to get more answers as to what happened,” Ms Harsch said in an interview on Sunday.
"My brother was so loving, not only to his family but even strangers. It is not like him.”
Ms Harsch said she is now conducting her own investigation into her brother's death.
The mayor of Victorville released a statement on Monday backing calls for further investigation.
"We take very seriously the concerns voiced by so many who fear that Malcolm’s death could be racially motivated, a hate crime, or a form of retaliation,” .
“As city leaders, we share these concerns; and a thorough investigation is being conducted. Malcolm Harsch’s life matters to our city.”
Mr Villanueva said the investigation into Mr Fuller's death will consult with local detectives to see if there are any parallels between the deaths of the two men.
People across social media have voiced concerns that both Mr Fuller and Mr Harsch may have been lynched.
A similar case in New York City
The death of another man in New York, who was found hanging in Manhatten on 9 June, has been compared to the two deaths in California.
Dominique Alexander, 27, died by hanging, the city’s medical examiner confirmed on Monday local time.
Mr Alexander’s brother addressed local media on Monday following the announcement.
“We are just trying to grieve,” he said.
“He was definitely loved by his family and his community. It’s just so much," the distraught brother said, before refusing to comment further.
Additional reporting by AFP.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged five to 25). More information is available at and
