• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Politics
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Gay Pride
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Men
  • Space
  • Science
  • Gay Iconography
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Monkeypox
  • Film/TV

Black LGBTQ Teen Mikayla Miller’s Death Ruled a Suicide; Investigation Remains ‘Active and Ongoing’

Brian Bell May 20, 2021 Leave a Comment

Mikayla Miller death
Mikayla Miller

The death of Mikayla Miller was officially ruled a suicide Tuesday as her family and community leaders continue their calls for a transparent, independent investigation into the Black LGBTQ Massachusetts teenager last month.

According to NBC Boston, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner filed Miller’s death certificate listing her manner of death as suicide, with the cause of death classified as asphyxia by hanging. Miller was found by a jogger affixed to a tree in a wooded area near her Hopkinton, Mass. home on the morning of April 18.

Court records show that a Hopkinton police detective that responded to the report that morning stated that Miller was suspended from a small tree branch by a thin black leather belt around her neck. Her backpack was also found in the area containing her cell phone and a Macbook. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that their investigation remains “active and ongoing”

“We will continue to explore every investigative angle necessary as we do that work and intend to issue a complete and thorough report at the conclusion of the investigation,” the Middlesex DA’s Office stated.

The news comes as Miller’s mother, Calvina Strothers, and community leaders continue to call for transparency in the investigation into MIller’s death. Strothers criticized the investigation in a statement released earlier this month through Boston-area advocacy organization Violence in Boston. Strothers alleged that law enforcement displayed a lack of interest in investigating Miller’s death initially and Millbury State Police Barracks Sergeant Sean O’Brien threatened to out her daughter’s LGBTQ identity publicly if she spoke to the media.

Strothers also claimed that investigators told her Miller’s death was a suicide shortly after her body was discovered without a proper investigation. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan refuted Strothers’ claim, stating any notion that her office neglected Miller’s case due to her Black and LGBTQ identities was “patently false.”

Hopkinton Police released a collection of files and recordings relating to the investigation on Wednesday “in response to the significant public inquiry,” including the initial 911 call and police dashcam footage. “We generally do not comment publicly on such cases. I do appreciate and understand the tremendous public interest in this investigation. We all want answers,” said Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Strothers and other community leaders will address the latest developments in a press conference Wednesday.

If you are considering suicide, LGBTQ youth (ages 24 and younger) can reach the Trevor Project Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386. Adults can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 24 hours a day, and it’s available to people of all ages and identities. Trans or gender-nonconforming people can reach Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860.

Mikayla Miller Previously on Towleroad

508324 origin 1

U.S. settles with Black Lives Matter protesters violently cleared from White House park

Towleroad April 14, 2022
Read More
500263 origin 1

Jussie Smollett Not Provided A Real Bed In Chicago Jail, Team Calls Conditions ‘Unacceptable’

Towleroad March 14, 2022
Read More
465758 profile 1

New York lawyers plead guilty in Molotov cocktail case

Towleroad October 21, 2021
Read More
police union

Police Unions Sabotage Police Reform. Senate Never Voted on House Bill That Would Ban Immunity, No-Knock, Chokeholds

Michael Goff September 23, 2021
Read More
police shooting

Grand Jury Indicts Sheriff’s Deputy in Police Shooting of Unarmed Virginia Man Isiah Brown; Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison

Brian Bell July 20, 2021
Read More
juneteenth Joy

Juneteenth Joy for Many; Others Fear Holiday is to Pacify Those Calling for More. Plus: Juneteenth On Fire Island and Ptown

Towleroad June 21, 2021
Read More

Topics: News More Posts About: Massachusetts, black, Black Lives Matter, death, Mikayla Miller

Related Posts
  • U.S. settles with Black Lives Matter protesters violently cleared from White House park
  • Jussie Smollett Not Provided A Real Bed In Chicago Jail, Team Calls Conditions ‘Unacceptable’
  • New York lawyers plead guilty in Molotov cocktail case
  • Dame Angela Lansbury to receive Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tonys

    Dame Angela Lansbury to receive Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tonys

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Dame Angela Lansbury is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tony Awards. The 96-year-old actress – who has won five Tonys during her career – will be honoured …Read More »
  • Factbox: Seven races to watch in Georgia, Alabama midterm primaries, Texas run-offs

    Factbox: Seven races to watch in Georgia, Alabama midterm primaries, Texas run-offs

    Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Voters in Georgia and Alabama will pick candidates for the U.S. Congress and other offices in Tuesday primaries testing former President Donald Trump’s power over his Republican Party ahead of …Read More »
  • Cybill Shepherd supports Bruce Willis after aphasia diagnosis

    Cybill Shepherd supports Bruce Willis after aphasia diagnosis

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Cybill Shepherd “will always love” Bruce Willis. ‘Die Hard’ legend Bruce, 67, has stepped away from the big screen after finding it increasingly difficult to manage his lines on set after …Read More »
  • WHO says no evidence monkeypox virus has mutated

    WHO says no evidence monkeypox virus has mutated

    Published by Reuters (Reuters) – The World Health Organization does not have evidence that the monkeypox virus has mutated, a senior executive at the U.N. agency said on Monday, noting the infectious disease that is endemic …Read More »
Previous Post: « Man Alleges New Orleans Police Pulled Job Offer Because He is Trans; Federal Complaint Filed
Next Post: Sara Ramirez to Play Che, Nonbinary Character in ‘Sex and the City’ Spin-off ‘And Just Like That…’; Kim Catrall Still Won’t Play »

Primary Sidebar

News

  • Vladimir Putin’s TV Appearances ‘Staged’ As Russian Leader Continues To Suffer Worsening Health Problems

    Vladimir Putin’s TV Appearances ‘Staged’ As Russian Leader Continues To Suffer Worsening Health Problems

  • US flight brings tons of needed baby formula from Germany

    US flight brings tons of needed baby formula from Germany

  • Courtney Love apologises for ‘bullying’ Amber Heard

    Courtney Love apologises for ‘bullying’ Amber Heard

  • ‘Desperate To Chase His Lost Relevance’: Donald Trump SLAMS Mike Pence’s ‘Plans’ To Run For President In 2024

    ‘Desperate To Chase His Lost Relevance’: Donald Trump SLAMS Mike Pence’s ‘Plans’ To Run For President In 2024

Break

  • Starbucks to completely exit Russia after Ukraine invasion

    Starbucks to completely exit Russia after Ukraine invasion

  • Evan Spiegel & Miranda Kerr Pay Off $10 Million In Loans Of Otis College’s Graduating Class

    Evan Spiegel & Miranda Kerr Pay Off $10 Million In Loans Of Otis College’s Graduating Class

  • Vladimir Putin’s Daughter SECRETLY Living In Germany With Man Named Igor Zelensky

    Vladimir Putin’s Daughter SECRETLY Living In Germany With Man Named Igor Zelensky

  • Tucker Carlson: Voice of white America’s outrage and fears

    Tucker Carlson: Voice of white America’s outrage and fears

RSS Partner Links

  • Pati LuPone pays visit to Colbert tonight!
  • Gio Benitez and Tommy DiDario are in LA!
  • Wendy Williams Has Been Given A Financial Guardian, And She’s Not Thrilled About That
  • Gay New Yorker Shot Dead On Subway ... Why? + THE OWL HOUSE Brings Gay Kiss To Disney Channel + Putin Loses A Diplomat + MORE! — 6-PACK
  • OMG, he’s naked: German actor David Bredin in ‘Tamara’
  • OMG, WATCH: Courteney Cox teases SCREAM 6!
  • Morning Round-Up: Chris Meloni; Maggie Smith; Max Greenfield & Jake Johnson; Hugh Jackman & more!
  • Birthday Sluts
  • Manspread Monday

Most Recent

  • U.S. health officials releasing some Jynneos vaccine doses for monkeypox – CDC

    U.S. health officials releasing some Jynneos vaccine doses for monkeypox – CDC

  • Dame Angela Lansbury to receive Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tonys

    Dame Angela Lansbury to receive Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tonys

  • Factbox: Seven races to watch in Georgia, Alabama midterm primaries, Texas run-offs

    Factbox: Seven races to watch in Georgia, Alabama midterm primaries, Texas run-offs

  • Cybill Shepherd supports Bruce Willis after aphasia diagnosis

    Cybill Shepherd supports Bruce Willis after aphasia diagnosis

  • WHO says no evidence monkeypox virus has mutated

    WHO says no evidence monkeypox virus has mutated

  • U.S. Southern Baptists release scathing report on sexual abuse

    U.S. Southern Baptists release scathing report on sexual abuse

  • Indonesia summons Britain’s envoy after furore over rainbow flag

    Indonesia summons Britain’s envoy after furore over rainbow flag

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Log in