In a deeply unsettling event that has shaken a Wisconsin family and the community at large, the death of Tory Medley, a 39-year-old man, has raised more questions than answers. Found hanging from a tree at the Brookfield Hills Golf Course on November 13, his death was swiftly labeled a potential suicide by local law enforcement. However, the details surrounding his demise have ignited a fervent quest for truth led by his grieving family and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Shena Medley, Tory’s older sister, poignantly conveyed their family’s heartbreak on social media, stating, “On November 13th, life as my family knew it changed forever.” In her message, she articulated the urgency of their situation, emphasizing the abrupt determination of suicide made by the Brookfield Police Department. “His death was immediately labeled a ‘possible suicide’ before critical questions about how he got there and what truly happened were fully examined,” she lamented. This declaration, coming in the hours following Tory’s discovery, has left the family feeling both bewildered and neglected in the search for clarity.
According to the police, their initial assessment revealed “no information at this point to indicate a crime was involved.” However, this hasty conclusion has been met with skepticism, especially from the family’s attorney, William Sulton. He expressed his concerns about the rushed investigation, stating, “The chief of police arrived at a conclusion on a death where they haven’t actually completed their investigation.” The implications of such assertions cannot be overlooked, especially in the context of America’s historical struggles with racial injustice, where incidents involving Black men and accusations of lynching stir deep societal wounds.
Interestingly, just weeks prior to Tory Medley’s passing, another tragedy occurred: 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed was found hanging from a tree at Delta State University. The similarities between these cases have not gone unnoticed, prompting urgent calls for thorough investigations. Sulton has sought discussions with Brookfield’s chief investigator and the Waukesha County Medical Examiner’s Office to glean more information about Tory’s death, mirroring the proactive steps taken by the Reed family, who also sought legal counsel in their quest for answers.
In an interview with local news outlet WISN 12, Sulton assured that regardless of the outcome, clarity is essential. “If it was suicide, we’ll accept that. But if it was something else, we’ll accept that, too,” he affirmed, underscoring the family’s desire for a comprehensible investigation into the tragedy. As Shena reiterated, “It’s only fair that it’s been fully reviewed and investigated.” This sentiment highlights a growing demand for accountability from law enforcement, particularly in communities of color.
Support has poured in from various community organizations, especially the NAACP chapters in Milwaukee and Waukesha. Montre Moore, a representative from the Waukesha NAACP, remarked on the unusual circumstances surrounding Tory’s death and emphasized the necessity of respectful and transparent communication from investigators. “These types of circumstances, it’s extraordinarily unusual,” he stated at a recent news conference, adding weight to the family’s concerns.
On November 23, the Brookfield Police Department publicly acknowledged the escalating concerns, issuing a statement to address “speculative and inaccurate statements” that had been circulating about the investigation. They affirmed their commitment to delving deeper into the circumstances surrounding Medley’s death while also keeping the family informed of any findings.
The Medley family’s mission remains clear: to uncover the truth. Shena’s resolute declaration—“We expect and demand complete transparency from the Brookfield Police Department”—echoes the sentiments of countless families seeking justice. “My family deserves answers. Tory deserves answers. The community deserves answers,” she concluded, determined to continue her quest for knowledge until every question about her brother’s untimely death has been adequately addressed.