MONTGOMERY, USA – The U.S.’s Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, has launched an investigation into the death of Dennoriss Richardson, a 39-year-old Black man found hanging in an abandoned house in rural Colbert County, Alabama, in September 2024.
Richardson’s death was initially ruled a suicide by the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office, but concerns raised by his family and community members have led to increased scrutiny of local law enforcement.
Richardson’s wife, Leigh, disputes the suicide ruling, citing that her husband left no note and had no connection to the property where he was found.
She fears his death may be connected to a lawsuit he filed earlier this year against the Sheffield Police Department, alleging assault, mistreatment, and excessive force during his detention.
Leigh Richardson, who has known her husband since they were teenagers, described Dennoriss as a dedicated family man who was deeply concerned about police harassment.
Community Outcry and Historical Tensions
Richardson’s death has evoked painful memories of the region’s history with racial violence, as Colbert County and Alabama have a long history of lynchings.
Local NAACP President Tori Bailey, also the only Black member of the Colbert County Commission, noted that the community’s reaction is understandable given Alabama’s troubling past.
According to the Equal Justice Initiative, Alabama recorded 359 lynchings between 1877 and 1943, with 11 in Colbert County alone.
“There has long been a kind of disconnect between communities of color and law enforcement,” Bailey said, pointing to a history of excessive force incidents she has documented in her 12 years as NAACP president.
“It makes sense that our community would want a thorough investigation.”
Pattern of Alleged Misconduct
Richardson’s lawsuit was part of a larger pattern of complaints against the Sheffield Police Department, with other Black and Latino residents filing similar suits in recent years.
Marvin Long, a lifelong Colbert County resident, sued the department last year, alleging police dragged him from his porch and set a K9 on him.
Video footage supported his claims, showing officers pursuing him to his property.
Long’s attorney, Roderick Van Daniel, also represents Richardson’s family. He highlights what he describes as a climate of fear and retaliation against citizens who speak out.
In another case, a Sheffield police officer was convicted of assault and reckless endangerment after a recorded incident showed him punching and pulling a gun on a Black man in a liquor store.
Additionally, a 57-year-old chiropractor claims he was repeatedly shocked with a Taser while handcuffed in police custody.
The Sheffield Police Department has not responded to requests for comment on these cases or on Richardson’s death, leaving community members feeling uncertain and distrustful.
Local Leaders and the Push for Transparency
Sheriff Eric Balentine, who took office in 2023, has publicly supported the FBI’s involvement, stating that his department “exhausted all resources” in its own investigation.
“We feel confident in what our findings were,” Balentine said.
“But by involving the FBI, we hope to provide the family with more peace of mind and rebuild community trust.”
Despite his confidence in local law enforcement, Sheffield Mayor Steve Stanley confirmed that Richardson had previously come to his office with concerns about being profiled.
Stanley said he reassured Richardson that complaints against officers would be investigated.
With Richardson’s case pending, Balentine and other local officials expressed hope that federal oversight would address concerns in the community and strengthen transparency.
Calls for Justice and Accountability
At Richardson’s memorial service in early October, family, friends, and community members gathered to remember his life and call for justice.
The crowd filled the small Trinity Memorial Funeral Home, where Richardson’s attorney, Van Daniel, spoke about his client’s dedication to transparency and accountability.
“He stood up against police misconduct,” Van Daniel said to a chorus of “amens” from those gathered.
“His family and the Sheffield community deserve answers. We deserve answers.”
The FBI’s involvement marks a critical step as the Colbert County community grapples with a longstanding history of racial violence and alleged law enforcement misconduct.
The investigation will now determine whether Richardson’s death was indeed suicide or whether foul play was involved, as his family and supporters seek clarity and justice.
