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Family, friends say goodbye to Illinois woman found dead in Texas jail cell after traffic stop

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Mourners arrive to mourn the death of Sandra Bland at the DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church Saturday, July 25, 2015, in Lisle, Ill. An autopsy report released Friday found that Sandra Bland used a plastic trash bag to hang herself three days after a confrontational traffic stop. The 28-year-old woman’s family has questioned the findings, saying she was excited about starting a new job and wouldn’t have taken her own life. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee) (The Associated Press)

A Sandra Bland hashtag is seen on the window of a mourners' car at the DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church Saturday, July 25, 2015, in Lisle, Ill. Bland was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. a service based organization. An autopsy report released Friday found that Bland used a plastic trash bag to hang herself three days after a confrontational traffic stop. The 28-year-old woman’s family has questioned the findings, saying she was excited about starting a new job and wouldn’t have taken her own life. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee) (The Associated Press)

CORRECTS FIRST NAME TO SHARON, NOT SANDRA COOPER - Sandra Bland's sister Sharon Cooper arrives at the wake service for Sandra Bland at the DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church Saturday, July 25, 2015, in Lisle, Ill. An autopsy report released Friday found that Sandra Bland used a plastic trash bag to hang herself three days after a confrontational traffic stop. The 28-year-old woman’s family has questioned the findings, saying she was excited about starting a new job and wouldn’t have taken her own life. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee) (The Associated Press)

Family and friends of an Illinois woman found dead in a Texas jail cell are saying their goodbyes at her wake and funeral near the Chicago suburb where she grew up.

An autopsy report released Friday found that Sandra Bland used a plastic trash bag to hang herself three days after a confrontational traffic stop. The 28-year-old woman's family has questioned the findings, saying she was excited about starting a new job and wouldn't have taken her own life.

A large crowd gathered Saturday morning at the DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lisle.

The July 10 traffic stop was captured on a patrol car dash camera video. It escalated to an assault arrest when the officer said Bland kicked him.