UPDATE: According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has officially ruled Champion's death a suicide.
Authorities in Georgia say that foul play is not immediately suspected in the death of a man found hanging from a tree yesterday morning.
NBC Atlanta reports that the body of 43-year-old Roosevelt Champion III was seen in the back yard of a Greensboro, Ga. around 11 a.m. However, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said yesterday that there's no evidence at the time suggesting that a struggle preceded Champion's death:
There's nothing to suggest any, any foul play at this time, said GBI Agent Joe Wooten. Mr. Champion's feet were touching the ground, his knees were slightly buckled.
Wooten said Champion's arms and legs were not bound.
He said there was no initial indication of any wounds to Champion's body, such as gunshots or cuts.
Officials are waiting on an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death. NBC Atlanta adds that, while Champion had been questioned by the GBI about the death of 55-year-old Carol Lewis last week, he was not a suspect in that case, nor were there any connections between it and his death.
[via NBC Atlanta]
