Javion Magee gave homeless person $228, had rope coiled around his neck, sheriff says

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story describes a suspected suicide, which may be disturbing to some readers.

The 21-year-old truck driver found dead in Henderson last week had a rope he had purchased wrapped around his neck 11 times, and he gave a homeless man $228 only hours before his death, sheriff’s investigators said Wednesday.

Javion Magee’s death has drawn national attention and suspicions of lynching, but Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said Wednesday that an autopsy showed no signs of defensive wounds or physical abuse, and deputies found a wrapper for the blue rope he bought at Walmart next to his body.

Still, civil rights attorneys and Magee’s family met with investigators Wednesday, called suicide a premature judgment and vowed to press for full answers as the investigation continues.

“Sheriff Brame wants to ensure the public his office is being as transparent as possible, while most importantly, being respectful of Javion’s grieving family,” his office wrote in a press release.

Here is the Vance sheriff’s timeline of events leading to and immediately following Magee’s death:

Sept. 10, 1 a.m.

Magee leaves Hazleton, Pa., with a load of goods for the Walmart Distribution Center in Henderson.

Sept. 10, 10:04 a.m.

Magee’s truck arrives in Vance County after an hour-long rest at a truck stop near Ashland, Va.

Sept. 10, 4:53 p.m.

Magee leaves the Walmart distribution center after unloading. Five minutes later, a GPS system shows it idling in a dirt parking lot about a half-mile away at 285 Vanco Mill Road.

Sept. 10, 5:53 p.m.

The truck stops in a parking lot, where Magee walks to a smoke shop on Andrews Street and buys tobacco products. Surveillance cameras show he is alone.

Sept. 10, 6:11 p.m.

Magee travels to a Walmart Supercenter in Henderson. Security cameras show him buying blue Ozark Trail rope at a self-checkout. He is alone. As he is leaving, further footage shows him give something to a homeless person. Deputies found and interviewed this witness, who told them Magee handed over $228 and said, “I don’t know how much it is, but if I had more I would give it to you.”

Sept. 10, 6:28 p.m.

Magee arrives at a Hampton Inn Hotel. He parks, speaks to a clerk and leaves shortly afterward.

Sept. 10, 6:52 p.m.

Magee’s truck returns to the lot on Vasco Mill Road. Surveillance cameras show him walking away from the truck toward the woods, alone and with some object in his hand. He walks to the gate of T&R Tractor and Truck Repair and back to the wood line of the lot before re-entering the truck with his hands appearing empty.

Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Magee is seen walking away from the truck toward the trees, alone.

Sept. 11, 10:08 a.m.

The owner of T&R calls 911 to report a man with a rope around his neck outside the fence, not breathing and apparently dead by suicide.

From this point, deputies and the Bearpond Fire Department begin to investigate.

The victim, wearing clothes that matched Magee’s in the video, was sitting with his legs extended and crossed. He had a rope wrapped around his neck 11 times and secured tightly to a tree branch. He had no identification, but deputies found a wrapper for Ozark Trail rope, which they traced to the Walmart sale the previous afternoon. Video footage of the truck at the Walmart matched the truck at T&R.

Investigators contacted KLLM Trucking, where company officials told them this was Magee’s first trip to Henderson, and that they were his first trucking employees since the young man had obtained his license earlier in 2024. Deputies are now seeking search warrants for Magee’s phone.

“Sheriff Curtis R. Brame continues to release as much information as possible about this investigation, again while being respectful to Javion’s family during this difficult time,” Wednesday’s release said.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to call (252) 738-2200.

If you or someone you are concerned about is at risk, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by texting or dialing 988. Or call 1-800-273-TALK. The National Alliance of Mental Illness North Carolina also offers virtual support groups and programming across the state.