Alabama police rule a black man’s hanging death a suicide, but his wife doesn’t believe it. Now the FBI is investigating

Leigh Richardson believes her husband Denoriss’ death was somehow related to a lawsuit he filed against local police earlier this year

After a black man was found hanging in an abandoned house in Alabama, the local sheriff ruled his death a suicide, but his wife believes there is more to the story. Now the FBI is investigating his death.

When the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office first ruled the death of 39-year-old Denoriss Richardson, whose body was discovered on September 28, a suicide, his wife, Leigh Richardson, became suspicious for several reasons.

Dennoriss, a father of five and children’s baseball and soccer coach, did not leave a note, Leigh explained to CNN and the Associated Press. He also had no connection – she knows – with the house where his body was found, which was miles away from his home in Sheffield.

Leigh, who was estranged at the time of his death but on good terms with Denoriss. told AL.com she needs answers. “This was done to look like suicide,” she said. “It’s not suicide.”

Dennoriss’ mother, Bonita Richardson, came to the same conclusion and even paid for a private autopsy of his body. “My son was happy,” she told AL.com. “He had no psychological problems. He would never commit suicide. He wouldn’t hurt himself.”

Leigh fears Dennoriss’ death was somehow related to a lawsuit he filed against local police earlier this year, the AP reported. In the lawsuit – one of many similar lawsuits currently facing Sheffield Police – Dennoriss claims he was assaulted in prison, sprayed with tear gas, shocked with a taser and denied medical attention.

Leigh’s fears are also heightened by Colbert County residents’ long-standing distrust of local law enforcement, with multiple community members making claims of excessive force similar to Dennoriss’s, the AP reported, as well as the fact that he died by hanging, reminiscent of the long history of lynchings.

Given the legacy of racial violence, Tori Bailey, the president of the local NAACP chapter, told the AP that it makes sense that community members would have a “deep-seated” reaction to a black man’s hanging and that they would want that a thorough investigation would be conducted.

After the sheriff’s investigation into Denoriss’ death left his loved ones more skeptical than satisfied, Sheriff Eric Balentine called in the FBI to conduct his own investigation, he told the AP. The federal agency is now investigating the allegations of criminal misconduct.

“We are confident in what our findings were,” Balentine told the AP, “but we feel that by doing this we can give the family more peace of mind.”

“Transparency is always a good way to mend fences with the community,” the sheriff added.

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Dennoriss had several run-ins with Sheffield police over the years, including a five-year prison sentence for drug possession in 2006, according to the AP. He was also arrested at least six times for charges including theft and assault, but none resulted in a conviction.

However, according to Leigh, his history with Sheffield Police goes all the way back to his childhood. “They harassed him all his life,” she told AL.com.

The week he filed his lawsuit against the department in February, he was accused of trafficking meth, according to the newspaper. He was out on bail at the time of his death.

The Colbert County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Leigh, who has made no specific accusations but is confident her husband did not commit suicide, told CNN she is “very suspicious of the circumstances that occurred in his life before his death.”

“I am hopeful that the FBI and the Department of Justice will investigate all the details,” she said. “And not just for Dennoriss either – this is a big problem in our community.”

Leigh said the father of five’s absence following his death is being felt by his wife, children and the community.

“He took fatherhood and being a role model very seriously,” Leigh told CNN of her late husband. “Not only was he a good father, but he was also a mentor in the community, and he had many nieces and nephews who looked up to him.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988, text ‘STRENGTH’ to the Crisis Text Line on 741741 or visit 988lifeline.org.