By A Black Muslim teenager was found hanged in the woods near his home in Lake Stevens, Wash. on March 1, 2017.
The 18-year-old teen, Ben Keita, was reported missing in November after leaving without his phone, car or wallet. He was found in January.
CAIR-Washington is asking the FBI to investigate the death, which was ruled “undetermined” after being classified as a suicide at first by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner.
“We just want to make sure that the expertise, the experience and the human resources of the FBI are brought to make sure everything is comprehensively investigated, no stone is left unturned,” Washington CAIR executive director Arsalan Bukhari told KIRO.
“He was planning to graduate this year from Lake Stevens High School,” [his father] said. “He was already in the Running Start program at Everett Community College and he was dreaming of becoming a medical doctor and work as a medical examiner. Now those dreams are over.”
His father, Ibrahima Keita, said his son had no history of anxiety or depression. The medical examiner changed the report for several reasons after the family pressed. According to KIRO:
“The ME’s report gives two reasons for the change, a K-9 search of the same area weeks earlier failed to find his body. Plus, the rope he was hanged with was tied an unusual 50 feet high in the tree.”
Ibrahima Keita described his son as generous and happy.
“He was planning to graduate this year from Lake Stevens High School,” Keita said. “He was already in the Running Start program at Everett Community College and he was dreaming of becoming a medical doctor and work as a medical examiner. Now those dreams are over.”
Lake Stevens police closed the case last week after a thorough investigation. The FBI office in Seattle is in touch with its police partners. “We are aware of circumstances of the individual’s death and will review them with consideration of federal law,” the FBI said in a statement. “If warranted, we may conduct further investigation. A review does not necessarily result in the opening of an investigation.”
May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant his family patience during this tough time.