A 72-year-old Black woman was found hanging from a tree in Maryland on Nov. 3. The woman was found around 7:30 a.m. on Belle Drive in Annapolis.
The Annapolis Police Department responded after several elementary and middle-schoolers saw the woman hanging from the tree on the way to school. Her name is being withheld until her extended family can be properly notified of her death.
The principal of Annapolis Middle School, Casey Hunt, and Mills-Parole Elementary principal Richard Rogers, both wrote a letter to parents advising them of the incident.
“While walking to the bus stop this morning, some students may have witnessed a tragic scene involving the death of an adult individual,” said the letter. “While this is a matter outside of school, this situation affects our school community. I know that you join me in keeping those closely affected in your thoughts.”
The Annapolis Police Department would only confirm that the person found deceased was a woman. Carl Snowden, who is a community activist in Maryland, revealed that the deceased was a Black woman on Facebook.
“Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock,” he wrote. “On the scene of a breaking story regarding the death of an African American woman. The location is Belle Drive in Annapolis. Alderwoman Sheila M. Finlayson is on the scene. More information will be forthcoming.”
Counselors were available at Annapolis Middle School, Mills-Parole Elementary, and Annapolis High School if students affected by the scene needed to speak to someone or they needed to be monitored. Schools with only one counselor on staff were provided with extra counselors.
Detectives are still investigating, but according to the police report, preliminary findings do not suggest foul play.
“Preliminary investigation reveals the incident does not appear to be criminal in nature. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending confirmation that the extended family has been notified.”
They are requesting anyone with pertinent information about the case to contact authorities at 410-260-3439.
