David Scott Campbell
David Scott Campbell, who had recently turned 21, worked seasonal construction and at an offshore refinery, and family and friends said he worked hard to provide for his child and his future. In October 1990, officers found him hanging in his cell at the Neshoba County jail after a power outage, and the officers reported a belt across his shoulders. The county sheriff's office said he killed himself and quickly ruled the death a suicide. His family says he never wore a belt, that the belt and his clothing went missing, and that his body was embalmed before any autopsy. His father said he did not believe his son killed himself, and the family and civil rights activists dispute the suicide finding.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). The sheriff's office ruled it a suicide by hanging, while his family disputes that finding, saying he never wore a belt, that the belt and clothing went missing, and that his body was embalmed before any autopsy; civil rights activists also dispute the finding.
Reported by: county sheriff's office (the agency that held him); his family; civil rights activists.