'It's your fault, Trump!' FBI to review death of black, Muslim teen that many are already calling a lynching

The FBI will review the death of an 18-year-old in Washington State who was reported missing in November but whose body was found in January, the victim of an apparent hanging. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office at first labeled the death a suicide but later changed its ruling to “undetermined,” citing the “very high tree branch” involved and an absence of any reports of suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Ben Keita, an African-American Muslim, disappeared from his home last fall without his car, wallet or phone. Police said Keita had stopped attending classes a few weeks before his disappearance.

Muslim teen found hanging in woods near Seattle; family seeks answers https://t.co/tvBRydOnjD pic.twitter.com/x9JQ6zg017

— KUOW Public Radio (@KUOW) March 1, 2017

FBI to review case of Muslim teen found dead in Washington state https://t.co/TWM7IFVZjV

— WTOP (@WTOP) March 2, 2017

This is dreadful. Hung from a high branch. No known suicidal ideation. Coroner couldn't in good conscience write it off as suicide. https://t.co/9G1ozfwAmd

— aweisburd (@webradius) March 3, 2017

It’s a tragic story regardless; however, many suspect that Keita was lynched. The Council on Islamic American Relations-Washington is among those groups that urged the FBI to investigate.

If it seems that this is another “local news story,” keep in mind that it’s remarkably similar to a case from last year where a young black man was found hanged in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Social media lit up with accusations of a lynching and rumors that the KKK had been spotted near the park, and protesters hit the streets to demand answers — maybe not the answers they got, but answers.

Black Man Found Hanging In Atlanta Park, KKK Lynching Suspected https://t.co/JQcvw4LZDo

— Douglas H Millis (@Birdonalift) July 10, 2016

The FBI was called in to assist, although in the end it looked like a suicide after all. It seems overly simple to say but necessary nonetheless: just because a person had a bright future and didn’t “seem sad” doesn’t mean he or she wasn’t suicidal.