CRIME

FBI consulting behavioral analysis unit in probe of hanging death of black man in Mississippi

Associated Press
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Elmo Cooper, a Port Gibson High classmate of Otis Byrd, speaks about his friendship Byrd in downtown Port Gibson, Miss., Monday, March 23, 2015, during a small rally to show support for the Byrd's family and to call on federal and state authorities to do a thorough investigation into his death. Byrd's body was found Thursday, hanging from a sheet from a tree in a rural area outside of Port Gibson. The FBI is consulting with its behavioral analysis unit as it continues investigating the hanging death of Byrd. Elmo Cooper, right, a classmate of theirs, also spoke. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

Darrell Noble, left, who graduated from Port Gibson High School, speaks about his friendship with his former classmate Otis Byrd in downtown Port Gibson, Miss., Monday, March 23, 2015, during a small rally to show support for the Byrd's family and to call on federal and state authorities to do a thorough investigation into his death. Byrd's body was found Thursday, hanging from a sheet from a tree in a rural area outside of Port Gibson. The FBI is consulting with its behavioral analysis unit as it continues investigating the hanging death of Byrd. Elmo Cooper, right, a classmate of theirs, also spoke. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

Marcus Turner speaks to reporters as a small group of concerned residents and friends of Otis Byrd gather in downtown Port Gibson, Miss., Monday, March 23, 2015 during a rally to show support for the Byrd's family and to call on federal and state authorities to do a thorough investigation into his death. Byrd's body was found Thursday, hanging from a sheet from a tree in a rural area outside of Port Gibson. The FBI is consulting with its behavioral analysis unit as it continues investigating the hanging death of Byrd. Elmo Cooper, right, a classmate of theirs, also spoke. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

The FBI is consulting with its behavioral analysis unit as it continues investigating the hanging death of a black man in Mississippi.

Jason Pack, supervisory special agent for the FBI's Jackson, Mississippi, office, said Monday that it could be days before investigators receive an autopsy report for 54-year-old Otis Byrd. The report is expected to show whether Byrd was killed or committed suicide.

Officials have said 30 state, local and federal investigators are on the case.

Meanwhile, about a dozen people gathered Monday in downtown Port Gibson to show support for Byrd's family. They called on authorities to thoroughly investigate the death.

Byrd's body was found Thursday, hanging by a bedsheet tied to a tree in a rural area outside Port Gibson.