Family: Candidate met brutal end
Coahoma officials investigate claim Mcmillian beaten, burned
Clarksdale mayoral candidate Marco McMillian, found dead last week along the Mississippi River levee, was beaten and set on fire, according to his family in a statement released Monday.
“We know that Marco was brutally murdered. His body was found on Wednesday, February 26, 2013, beaten, dragged and burned (set afire),” the family said in an e-mail released through McMillian’s campaign manager, Jarod Keith. “This was reported in our meeting with the local coroner on two occasions. We were informed that the official autopsy report could take two to four weeks to complete.”
The body of McMillian, 34, was found Wednesday by the Coahoma County sheriff’s department at the base of the levee near t he communities of Sherad and Rena Lara in the southwestern section of the county, about 15 miles from Clarksdale.
Coahoma sheriff ’ s spokesman Will Rooker said Monday in an e-mail that he is working with authorities to confirm the information released by the family.
McMillian was reported missing after authorities discovered his sport-utility vehicle was involved in a two-car crash Feb. 26 on Miss. 49 near the Coahoma/ Tallahatchie county line.
McMillian was not in the SUV. It was driven by 22-year-old Lawrence Reed, who was charged Thursday with McMillian’s murder.
Reed, of Shelby, Miss., was airlifted to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, where he was treated for his injuries from the car wreck. He
was released on Saturday and taken to the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar in Memphis, where he was held without bond as a fugitive from justice.
Monday, Reed wore a sling for his left arm when he appeared before General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Louis Montesi Jr. in Memphis, and said he did not want to challenge extradition to Mississippi to face charges in McMillian’s death.
McMillian’s family said in its statement that the candidate reported before his death that he was concerned about his safety.
“We feel it is important to share this information to dispel speculations surrounding his death,” the statement said.
“We feel that this was not a random act of violence based on the condition of the body when it was found. Marco, nor anyone, should have their lives end in this manner.”
A native of Clarksdale, McMillian announced his candidacy for mayor last month. He said he entered the race because he wanted to combat crime and bring economic development to the city of 17,000 people. He is believed to be one of the first openly gay candidates to run for office in the state.
A graduate of Jackson State University, McMillian was CEO of MWM & Associates, a professional consultation firm for nonprofit organizations. He was former international executive director of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
“He was actively campaigning to improve the quality of life for the citizens in his beloved hometown,” his family said in its statement. “Marco had shared with his family and close friends that he was very concerned for his personal safety. We will miss our beloved son and family member.”