West Hills Rumors 'Compounding' Heartbreak For Man's Family: SCPD

HUNTINGTON, NY — Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart on Wednesday addressed the death of a man who police took his life at a West Hills park Monday morning. The man was found hanging from a tree at Peter A. Nelson Park on Oakwood Road, police said.

Suffolk police, who don't normally provide details on suicides, released a statement due to rumors on social media that a Black man was killed in a homicide. The rumors followed the hanging deaths of at least four other Black people in less than one month in cities such as Los Angeles, Victorville, California, Manhattan, and Spring, Texas, with authorities saying all appear to be suicides.

The West Hills case was classified as a suicide based on evidence recovered at the scene and at the man's home, including a letter he left for his family describing the reason for his actions, police said.

"This is a personal tragedy for this family," Hart told reporters Wednesday. "And unfortunately, because of speculations on social media, their heartbreak is being compounded by rumors that are simply not true...While our department has a policy that we don't comment on suicides, we feel that it is important to calm community leaders and community themselves with accurate information.

"We are confident in the preliminary findings that this death was indeed a suicide."

The man's family requested their identity be withheld and their privacy protected, Hart said. Homicide Squad detectives discussed with the family the issues and rumors that have arisen since the man's death, she said.

"Detectives also discussed this press conference, and the family agreed to put forth the following on their behalf," Hart said. "First, they are aware of the rumors and concerns that are swirling around the community. Next, they are confident that this case involves a suicide due to the facts of the case, as well as issues that are personal to them and their deceased family member. And finally, they asked that their privacy be respected in order to deal with this tragedy."

Police said they received a 911 call at 7:04 a.m. Monday from the man's family reporting him missing after a suicide note, his identification and phone were found at his home. A jogger called 911 at 7:21 a.m. to report a person hanging from a tree at the West Hills park, police said. In his pocket was a note identifying himself and providing his address, as well as his wife's name and phone number, police said. The Homicide Squad and a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner responded and processed the scene as a homicide. Photographs and measurements were taken, and evidence was recovered, Hart said.

A witness saw the man riding his bicycle to the park and a 55-gallon drum was found near the branch, Hart said.

"We don't have any indication of any struggle or scream," she said.

An autopsy will be performed by the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, police said.

"I know that Huntington is a caring and supportive community," Hart said. "That is why I am confident that you will respect this family, and what they are going through, and allow them to mourn and to grieve for their loved one in peace."

Hart was joined by community and religious leaders during the conference, which was held at the Second Precinct at 1071 Park Ave., Huntington.

Reverend Larry D. Jennings, of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, said it's a very tense time in particular for people of African American descent.

"It's important for us to stand together in solidarity with our leaders, local government and police station, so that we can reassure our citizens that they can expect due diligence to become the order of the day with regards to the issues that we wrestle with," Jennings said.