The tragic death of Javion Magee, a 21-year-old truck driver from the Chicago area, in Vance County, North Carolina, has sparked widespread concern and speculation, particularly across social media. Magee, who was in the area to make a delivery to the Walmart distribution center in Henderson, was discovered on Wednesday, September 11, leaning against a tree with a rope around his neck in a rural area off Vanco Mill Road.
The unsettling details of Magee’s death have prompted his family and the public to demand transparency from law enforcement. With Magee’s body found not far from his parked truck, his family has expressed deep frustration, accusing authorities of not providing sufficient information regarding the circumstances of his death.
Vance County Sheriff Curtis R. Brame addressed the public concerns and social media rumors on Friday, clarifying that while Magee was found with a rope around his neck, investigators have found no signs of foul play, nor evidence to suggest that Magee’s death was a lynching, despite widespread claims circulating online.
“I understand there’s over 1,000 hits on TikTok accusing the sheriff’s office of not being transparent or withholding information from the family, but that is not true,” Sheriff Brame said. “There is not a lynching in Vance County. The young man was not dangling or swinging from a tree. The rope was wrapped around his neck, but it was not tied in a noose or knot.”
The sheriff stated that Magee had been to a nearby Walmart shortly before his death, where investigators believe he purchased the rope found at the scene. However, further details have not yet been provided, and the sheriff’s office continues to face pressure to offer more clarity on the situation.
Amid the ongoing investigation, Magee’s family, heartbroken and desperate for answers, has called for transparency. Candice Matthews, a spokesperson for the family, said, “A lot of this stuff does not pass the smell test, and that’s a problem. The entire family is mortified and hurt. They have a lot of questions and just want to know what happened to their loved one.”
Brame assured the public that the investigation is being conducted thoroughly, with all possibilities being explored. “We’re going down every avenue, every aspect of all the information,” Brame said. “We are tracking the company to try and get his GPS reading.”
Many in the local community have expressed concern about the historical context of racial violence in the southern United States. Henderson resident Khalil Gay noted that while there are no confirmed signs of racial motivation in Magee’s death, the history of racism in the region has left people on edge. “We have to acknowledge that we do live in the South, and there’s a deep history of racism and racist acts,” Gay said. “People are obviously concerned about that.”
The sheriff’s office has enlisted the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and requested support from the Attorney General’s Office as they continue to probe the circumstances surrounding Magee’s death.
A preliminary autopsy was conducted and shared with Magee’s family. While it showed no definitive cause of death, there were signs of hemorrhaging around the soft part of Magee’s neck. However, no defensive wounds or other injuries were found on his arms, legs, or body, suggesting no signs of a struggle. Sheriff Brame noted that the full results, including a toxicology report, are still pending and could take more time.
The family awaits the outcome of the ongoing investigation and autopsy results as they continue their search for answers about the untimely death of Javion Magee. Sheriff Brame has committed to sharing the final autopsy report with the family and making a decision on how to release the information to the public.