Colbert County, Ala. (WDNews) — A state autopsy has ruled that Dennoriss Richardson, a 39-year-old Black man found hanging in an abandoned Colbert County home in late September, died by suicide. However, this conclusion conflicts with a private autopsy commissioned by Richardson’s family, which found no definitive evidence of suicide and called for further investigation.
Richardson’s body was discovered far from his home in Sheffield, Ala., a small town along the Tennessee River. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences released its findings in late December, concluding the death was caused by asphyxia due to neck compression, consistent with hanging. Despite these findings, Richardson’s family and community members remain skeptical, citing a history of racial injustice and distrust of local law enforcement.
Richardson’s wife, Leigh Richardson, expressed doubt about the state’s conclusion, stating that authorities labeled her husband’s death a suicide just five days into the investigation. “This is why we are fighting for the truth,” she said. “We know that ‘NaNa’ did not kill himself.”
A private autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Adel Shaker also determined Richardson’s cause of death was asphyxia from neck compression. However, Dr. Shaker noted that the absence of Richardson’s hyoid bone, which can sometimes fracture in cases of hanging or strangulation, made it impossible to confirm whether the death was a suicide or homicide. The private autopsy report recommended a thorough investigation to rule out a staged suicide.
The case has drawn significant attention, with calls for federal involvement. In October, Richardson family attorney Emory Anthony requested an FBI investigation, highlighting Richardson’s participation in a federal civil rights lawsuit against local law enforcement. The lawsuit alleges a pattern of abuse by authorities.
The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences has yet to release a copy of the state autopsy, which is classified as public information unless a death investigation is ongoing. Richardson’s family and supporters continue to demand answers as the investigation unfolds.
