Cobb officials say they understand concern in case of young man found hanging from tree in park, reiterate ‘no indicators’ of foul play
By Jonathan Raymond (11Alive), Alvieann Chandler, Reeves Jackson
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COBB COUNTY, Georgia (WXIA) — Officials in Cobb County came forward Monday to address a case about a man’s death that has generated concern on social media and in the community.
A young Black man, 21-year-old Kyle Bassinga, was discovered last week dead at Fair Oaks Park; Chairwoman Cupid said Monday he was found “in a horrific manner, hanging from a tree.” The death has been ruled a suicide, and both Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and Cobb Police Chief Dan Ferrell reiterated that finding in a press conference.
But they also promised transparency and more information from the case forthcoming, as soon as they are able to meet with Bassinga’s family to first give them a private case overview. They said there’s been a delay in that so far because a family member of Bassinga’s has had to travel in from out of the country.
Speaking of Bassinga’s death and the circumstances in which he was found, Chairwoman Cupid said “this is a violent manner that has caused many to think of the days of slavery and of Jim Crow, and this type of violence shown toward African Americans, particularly men, during that historical time has caused many to respond to what is occurring with great disbelief.”
She said she wanted to “say that I hear you, I understand, and we are sensitive to that here in this county.”
“We want to see the truth of the matter first for the family, who is deserving of understand that as they go through their own grief at this time, but it’s also important for our community to know the truth,” Cupid said. “But I don’t want us to lose the thought that it’s also important to our men and women in law enforcement for them to be able to identify and convey the truth.”
Chief Ferrell said that from the evidence collected to this point, there are “no indicators that another person was involved in this incident.” He said, however, the investigation remains active “and we will continue to evaluate all the evidence thoroughly.”
Ferrell said that evidence will include videos, phone data, witnesses and additional physical evidence from the scene “that has not been shared up to this point because we have not had time to sit down with the family and talk to them about that.”
He estimated a meeting with the family can happen now in the next day or so.
Last week, family members who spoke to 11Alive confirmed Bassinga was the individual found dead on February 18 at Fair Oaks Park. He had been reported missing on February 15.
The discovery of Bassinga, in the deeply unsettling manner he was found, led to a number of social media posts and community members expressing skepticism that there would not have been foul play involved. One resident told 11Alive’s Sefenech Henok “do I believe throughout the history of this country that that young Black man did that to himself? I’m going to say no.”
The family at that time said “online speculation is the least of our worries.”
“We are focused on burying our son and am happy to have found him,” the family said last week.
Chief Ferrell meanwhile stressed Monday there investigation has not uncovered “one piece of evidence so far that would indicate anyone else was there” when Bassinga died.
“I do understand when information is limited that speculation grows, the social media commentary can certainly amplify the uncertainty, but our responsibility is not really to respond to speculation, it’s to follow the evidence and communicate and verify facts,” the chief said.
But he added he understood that “this case has created an emotional response, I recognize the historical sensitivities surrounding circumstances like this and I do not dismiss the weight that carries — the concerns being expressed in our community are real and I know they deserve to be acknowledged.”
Chairwoman Cupid said she appreciates “the heart that our community has, not only as a chairwoman but being a mom of two young Black men.”
“We appreciate that heart and concern,” she said. “I’m asking for them to also appreciate the process that our men and women in law enforcement need to have to be able to bring clarity to everyone with respect to this, I know that they are doing this with a great deal of thoughtfulness and sensitivity.”
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