Black Man’s Death Declared A Suicide 100 Years Ago, Now Ruled A Lynching

In 1922, 19-year-old George Tompkins, a Black man, was discovered with his hands tied behind his back, hanging from a tree in Indiana.

No one was apprehended, and his death was said to be a suicide despite the way that his body was found.

On Sunday, the record was rectified, and Tompkin’s death has now been ruled a lynching. A new death certificate has been issued.

On March 16, 1922, Tompkins had left his home, walking, about 7:30 a.m. He was found hanging from a tree around 2 p.m.

The case was widely-known because it wasn’t taken seriously, and authorities never investigated.

“It got written off in two days as a suicide. His lynching was buried before his body was…,” stated an expert on the case.

“He was lynched on March 16. He was buried on March 20. The story disappeared no later than March 19. It was gone from the front pages, gone from the papers in two days.”

Tompkins’ vicious killing, almost a century later, has finally been acknowledged.

“This recognition comes 100 years too late. It is up to public officials…to perserve and promote equal justice for all residents of our city,” stated Indianapolis’ mayor.