Gloria Bambo’s name was trending on Twitter Tuesday afternoon (July 28) as supporters launched a petition demanding a thorough investigation into her death. The 20-year-old Black woman was found hanging in the garage of her home — which she shared with a 19-year-old white male roommate — on July 12. The police department in McKinney, Texas suspects that Bambo died by suicide, according to a preliminary investigation.
Now, over 25,000 people have signed a Change.org petition to call on Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Louis Gohmert and other Texas officials to launch a thorough investigation into the cause of Bambo’s passing.
“It hasn’t even been months since the last time an African American has been found dead by the action of hanging,” the petition reads. “Yet another African American has lost her life by being lynched in her roommates basement. This isn’t coincidental nor is it suicide. We’re calling for a deeper and through investigation into the death of Gloria Bambo.”
The McKinney Police Department previously addressed the case on Facebook.
“A number of posts on social media have speculated about the death of Gloria Bambo, a 20-year-old Black female,” the post read. “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 statement added. “This case is still under investigation and is not closed at this time. 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.”
A since-deleted Facebook post by Jamilla Arnold, per Black Enterprise, alleged that Bambo had gone missing on July 9, three days before she was found dead. Others who are calling for a thorough investigation into her death have stated that repairs were also made in the house in between that time and that Bambo’s other roommates were at home.
As reported by REVOLT, an alleged friend of the roommate that discovered Bambo’s body tweeted that she suffered from bipolar and anxiety orders. We continue to send our condolences to her family and friends at this time.