A federal investigation has declared that the death of 19-year-old Black man Derontae Martin inside a rural Missouri home was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, not a homicide as previously suspected. Martin died in an attic closet at a prom party on April 25, 2021, initially ruled as a suicide. However, concerns from family members led to an FBI investigation, which concluded that Martin’s death was not a hate crime. Despite this finding, Martin’s mother remains convinced that her son was the victim of a homicide.
Originally from the St. Louis area, Martin moved to Park Hills, where he was popular and happy despite being in a predominantly white community. A talented athlete, Martin had earned a scholarship and was preparing to go to college. On the night of his death, Martin was attending a prom party at a friend’s home, near Fredericktown, where he was found dead in the attic. The homeowner, with a history of racist social media postings, was not charged with a crime.
Deputies and emergency responders found Martin dead in the attic with an initial autopsy indicating a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Racial injustice activists marched in response to Martin’s death, with reports of counter-protesters hurling racial slurs and nooses. A coroner’s inquest jury later convened in July 2021, with conflicting testimonies from witnesses. While some claimed the homeowner made racist comments, others denied these allegations. Evidence showed Martin had methamphetamine in his system, leading to paranoia and irrational thinking.
While family members disputed the suicide ruling, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker stated that the evidence pointed to a self-inflicted wound. The investigation found that Martin’s meth levels were consistent with extreme paranoia and irrational behavior. Crocker mentioned that Martin was holding the gun in the presence of a friend who was trying to dissuade him. The FBI met with Martin’s family in December to inform them of the findings, highlighting the thorough investigative steps taken to reach the conclusion.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division provided assistance in the investigation, with a specialized agent assigned to the case. Crocker emphasized the extensive measures taken to ensure the accuracy of the investigation’s findings. While family and community members continue to question the circumstances surrounding Derontae Martin’s death, the FBI’s conclusion stands as a resolution to the case, ruling out homicide or hate crime. The incident sheds light on the complexities of racial tensions in rural communities and the challenges of addressing mental health issues in young individuals.
