Years Later, His Case Remains Unsolved

sign that says say his name
Via Wikimedia Commons
L. Graciella Maiolatesi
February 21, 2023

Ben Keita’s body was found hanging from a tree. Police and FBI quickly ruled his death a suicide but something wasn’t adding up. 

For starters, Keita hadn’t shown any signs associated with suicide. Then there’s the fact he was missing for months before being found.

Coroners ruled his death a suicide because his body showed injuries matching death by asphyxiation. 

But his body revealed other truths, too.

Ice crystals were found in Keita’s blood, suggesting he’d been frozen prior to being discovered. This, in addition to other questionable evidence, encouraged Keita’s community to demand the FBI reinvestigate.

A local activist stated, “Historically lynchings were often deemed quickly as suicide without the benefit of thorough inquiry.” This, tied to the police and FBI’s historic abuse and covering up of Black murders has us with a side-eye.

Ben Keita, like many others, should still be alive today. Please sign the change.org petition his community started to demand his case be reopened.

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