Family of murdered mayoral candidate asks Justice Department to investigate his death

VIDEO - According to the medical examiner, McMillian died of asphyxiation. There is also evidence the openly gay mayoral candidate was burned and beaten...

WMC-TV – The autopsy done on the body of former Clarksdale mayoral candidate Marco McMillian is revealing gruesome details about his death.

The autopsy became available for the first time Friday.

According to the medical examiner, McMillian died of asphyxiation. There is also evidence the openly gay mayoral candidate was burned and beaten.

According to the affidavit, McMillian died of strangulation.

The sheriff’s report, which was included in the autopsy report, states for the first time the suspect admitted to “killing Mr. McMillian and dumping his body near the levee.”

Coahoma County coroner Scotty Meredith says it is unclear when it may have happened.

“We did see some burning. We couldn’t tell if it was postmortem or antemortem, which would be before or after death, but that’s what his report has come up with,” he said.

Although, the toxicology report shows levels of alcohol and marijuana in McMillian’s system, the medical examiner said they did not contribute to his death.

Lawrence Reed, 22, is charged with the murder of Marco McMillian. Reed was driving the victim’s car when it collided with another vehicle in February.

Reed’s friends have claimed he was defending himself from unwanted sexual advances.

The Coahoma County Sheriff said the next step is for Lawrence Reed’s case to go before a grand jury.

Click here to read more stories from Memphis’ WMC-TV

SHARE THIS ARTICLE