Investigation Into Hanging Death In Morristown Park Concluded

LONG VALLEY, NJ - The investigation into the June 28 death of a 20-year-old Washington Township man found hanging from a tree in Lewis Morris Park has concluded, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

After his death, despite the determination of law enforcement that he died by suicide, a counter narrative was put out on social media and picked up by other publications calling into question his manner of death.

There were calls for further investigation, and those calls were answered.

Law enforcement received a 911 call at approximately 2:47 p.m. on June 28 where the caller said they saw the body of a young black man hanging from a tree just off a hiking trail in Lewis Morris Park in Morristown, the report said.

First responders arrived and located the body and there were no indications of a struggle observed at the scene, officials said.

Investigation at the scene revealed the man's wallet and cell phone to be in his pocket and other personal items, including a laptop and backpack, were neatly placed nearby and his car was located in a parking lot at the park, police said.

Further investigation confirmed that he had purchased the rope earlier in the day had conducted multiple internet searches related to suicide on the day he died, authorities said. The investigation did not reveal any evidence of criminality, nor is there any evidence of a connection between the death and any other person or group, authorities said.

The Morris County Medical Examiner performed a postmortem examination and the manner of death was determined to be suicide, the report said.

While the Morris County Prosecutor noted that is does not ordinarily issue public statements containing specific details regarding suicide investigations, but made an exception because there has been a great deal of inquiry related to this investigation.

The investigation was conducted by the Morris County Park Police, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, and in consultation with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, which concurs with the findings herein, officials said.

People having suicidal thoughts can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. Garden State residents can also find support at the New Jersey Hopeline at 1-855-654-6735.

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