Muslim Teen Suicide Ruling Changed, Now The FBI Is Involved
After Ben Keita went missing in late November, his body was found hanging from a tree near a forest by his Lake Stevens, Washington, home in January.
"No history of depression, anxiety, any psychological breakdown at all, so he was a very... happy young man," said Ibrahima Keita, Ben's father.
At first, a medical examiner concluded that the 18-year-old ended his own life — but now authorities aren't so sure.
After facing pressure from Keita's family, the medical examiner changed his cause of death to "undetermined," according to KIRO 7.
The medical examiner's gave two reasons for the change: One, because Keita's body wasn't found during a K-9 search of the area weeks prior.
Two, because the rope his body was hanging from was 50 feet high in the tree.
The FBI is currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding Keita's death at the request of a coalition formed by the Washington Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
The Rev. Kele Brown said that the community is being careful not to jump to conclusions.
"Historically lynchings were often deemed quickly as suicide without the benefit of thorough inquiry," Brown told KIRO 7.
Local police claim to have investigated Keita's death thoroughly, adding that they didn't close the case until last week.
But Keita's family says Lake Stevens police failed to interview four co-workers before ending their investigation.
The Seattle office of the FBI said in a statement that it "is communicating with our police partners" regarding the case.
"We are aware of circumstances of the individual’s death and will review them with consideration of federal law. If warranted, we may conduct further investigation," the FBI said.
The office cautioned that "a review does not necessarily result in the opening of an investigation."
But Keita's family just wants answers.
"We believe that somewhere, someone must know something about this case and we urge people to come forward and contact the police," his father told Q13 Fox.
