FBI to review case of Muslim teen found hanging from tree in Washington

LAKE STEVENS, Wash. – The FBI says it will review a case in which a black, Muslim teenager was found hanging from a tree in Washington state.

The Daily Herald newspaper of Everett reported that FBI spokeswoman Ayn Dietrich says the review does necessarily mean the agency will open an investigation.

Ben Keita went missing in November and was found dead in the woods in Lake Stevens, north of Seattle, in January. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office initially categorized the death as a suicide, but later determined there was not enough information to make a ruling.

Lake Stevens Police Chief John Dyer says investigators believe it was a suicide but have conferred with the FBI and are awaiting laboratory results.

Keita’s family says he had no history of depression or anxiety and seemed happy before his disappearance.