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GBI: Black man's hanging from tree in Ga. was suicide

GREENSBORO, Ga. - Officials in Georgia have concluded there was no foul play in the death of a black man who was found hanging from a tree in Greensboro, Ga. Monday morning.

According to the the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a forensic autopsy performed on the body of Roosevelt Champion III, 43, concluded that the manner of death was suicide and the cause of his death was hanging.

The report also stated that there was no evidence of inflicted trauma to Champion's body.

Champion III was found hanging in the backyard of a Greensboro home by a passerby at approximately 9 a.m., about 75 miles east of Atlanta, officials said.

Joe Wooten, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said Champion was found hanging by an "orange ratchet strap," with his feet touching the ground and his knees slightly buckled. There were no overt wounds on his body and his hands and feet were not bound.

Wooten said Champion, who was last reported seen at around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, was questioned in connection with a homicide investigation last week.

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