Family of Woman Found Dead in Texas Prison Now Requesting Autopsy

Sandra Bland, a woman who was arrested July 10th for being uncooperative after getting pulled over for failing to signal a lane change in Waller County, Texas, was found mysteriously dead in her jail cell three days later.  Authorities originally stated that they believed her to have hung herself with a plastic bag but her family is now questioning that conclusion, saying she was looking forward to an approaching interview and would never take her life.  They have now requested an independent autopsy, and are expecting results within 48 to 72 hours, reported ABC News yesterday.

Hundreds of supporters donned white ribbons with a picture of Bland and gathered for a silent prayer walk this Sunday at a church in Lisle, Illinois which she was known to attend.  Many people are beginning to label this as a possible hate crime.  The Chicago-born woman was reportedly waiting for the posting of her bond, and was set up for a job interview at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, a historically black college, where she graduated in 2009.  However, Bland posted a video to her Facebook page back in March detailing how she believed she was suffering from “a little bit of depression as well as PTSD” – otherwise known as post-traumatic stress disorder.  While close friend and mentor at Prairie View, LaVaughn Mosley, has stated that he thinks she was simply venting after a bad day, it’s still not very clear what actually happened on the night of her death.

Regardless, an investigation has been launched by The Texas Rangers and FBI, with the county district attorney saying the results of which will come in August when the grand jury is planned to meet next. The investigators and district attorney also plan to meet with Bland’s representatives sometime this week.