The death of a 20-year-old Black woman is garnering attention online.
Earlier this week, a Facebook user by the name of Jamilla Arnold posted about the death of Gloria Bambo, a McKinney, Texas, resident. The message claimed that Bambo was found on July 12 by her “white male roommate” hanging inside of her garage. The post said:
Gloria Bambo, a South African citizen, and a resident of McKinney,Texas was found hung inside her garage. Gloria resided with her roommate, a white male who found her in the garage Sunday July 12, 2020. Gloria went missing Thursday and supposedly died in that garage the same day July 9. Gloria’s body was in that garage 3 days, where people resided, and repairs were made. No one has heard anything about this Why? We need to know what happened to Gloria?
The post tagged the Collin County NAACP, The Dallas Morning News and other media outlets.
Arnold’s message has since been shared more than 1,600 times with more than 250 comments.
The Collin County NAACP wrote on Twitter that it was looking forward to the release of details from police.
@McKinneyPolice We look forward to the family receiving the results of the autopsy, photos from the scene, statement from the roommate, and release of the handwriting analysis of the letter. We will not accept the sole statement from the roommate . We will seek justice!
The McKinney Police Department took to Facebook July 23 to address the social media speculation.
Police said they believe Bambo’s death was a suicide but the investigation is ongoing.
“The McKinney Police Department typically does not comment on suicides, including naming the deceased, but due to the public nature of this case we feel the need to clarify some inaccuracies,” the post said.
The department noted that Bambo was found hanging “by her 19-year-old male housemate.” It did not provide details on when or where she was found. It read in part:
A number of posts on social media have speculated about the death of Gloria Bambo, a 20-year-old Black female. Ms. Bambo’s body was discovered by her 19-year-old male housemate who has fully cooperated during the investigation. All evidence in the case so far leads investigators to believe it was suicide. The Medical Examiner’s findings are still pending but the preliminary examination of the body has not uncovered any evidence to contradict what was discovered at the residence.
The case is still open and under investigation, it added.
“We are committed to a complete, thorough investigation of Ms. Bambo’s tragic death and we grieve the tragic loss of this promising, young life,” police said.
A spokesperson for the department told Heavy that it does not have additional information to offer at this time.
Many Are Still Speculating About Bambo’s Death Following the Police Statement
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As of late July 23, social media users were rallying to make the hashtag #GloriaBambo go trending.
Some criticized the media for its lack of coverage on Bambo’s death, while others questioned whether it was actually a suicide.
“The story from McKinney PD isn’t adding up,” one user wrote. Another used the hashtag “#2020LYNCHINGS.”
When we gonna talk about #GloriaBambo and her sus as roommate?
This is the alleged letter from the roommate asking social media to stop spreading “false info”.
I smell bullshit.
will it ever end?.. #GLORIABAMBO #SAYHERNAME #2020LYNCHINGS suicide is NO joke, but get the fuck up out my face with that. THEY BETTER INVESTIGATE THAT PROPERLY AND MAKE RIGHTFUL ARRESTS FOLLOWED WITH CHARGES. #ThisIsAMERIKKKA #JUSTICEFORGLORIABAMBO
The Roommate Released a Statement on Twitter, According to a Self-Identified Friend
Twitter screenshot by Diaspora 7
A Twitter account by the handle @ImNotJanel posted a statement on behalf of Bambo’s roommate, according to Diaspora 7.
“My friend, who was also #gloriabambo’s roommate asked me to make this post on his behalf and share the correct information in regards to her passing,” the caption read.
The account, which has since been made private, shared several screenshots of apparent text messages between Bambo and her roommate up until July 10.
The account also released a statement it claimed came from the unnamed roommate, which claimed Bambo lived with bipolar and anxiety disorders.
Twitter screenshot by Diaspora 7
Twitter screenshot by Diaspora 7
The tweets have since been deleted.
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