Popular children's entertainer Ms. Rachel asserted on Tuesday that Black individuals do not commit suicide by hanging from trees. Her comments came days after Raleigh, North Carolina, police concluded that a 32-year-old Black man discovered hanging from a tree in downtown Raleigh had died by suicide.
Rachel Accurso, widely known as Ms. Rachel, shared a brief video on her social media channels, urging her audience, "Please listen to the Black community. Black people don’t hang themselves from trees. There’s been at least seven Black people found hanging from trees."
Accurso has progressively leveraged her platform as a children's content creator to champion various progressive viewpoints.
While Accurso did not explicitly name a specific incident, her video was posted following the tragic event in downtown Raleigh.
Raleigh Police Conclude Suicide in Downtown Case
During a Monday news conference, Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce detailed the investigation, stating that video footage showed the young man, who had a documented history of mental health struggles, approaching the tree with an electrical cord, with no other individuals present in the vicinity.
Based upon the evidence collected and reviewed to date, investigators have found no evidence indicating that another person caused or contributed to the young man’s death, and no evidence of a criminal act has been identified. Our investigation confirms that this is a suicide.
Chief Boyce further noted that the young man's mother had confirmed his past struggles with mental health issues, and he cautioned that numerous social media discussions surrounding the incident contained inaccuracies.
For individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, confidential support is available by contacting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Historical Context and Other Incidents Mentioned
While the United States carries a somber legacy of racial lynchings in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Raleigh investigation has yielded no evidence suggesting foul play. Several comparable incidents have been classified as suicides in 2026, though uncertainties frequently persist.
The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet issued a ruling on the recent death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune.
In her video's caption, Ms. Rachel wrote, "Just in 2026. Also, what the press did to Dr. Jason Arday. My heart is with the Black community. Please be an ally. You don’t have to be perfect. But you need to listen, uplift, speak out and show up."
Jason Arday, an ex-Cambridge professor, was found deceased last week. His death followed an international controversy stemming from plagiarism allegations and significant backlash he faced amidst an inquiry into his academic qualifications and honorary appointments. The London Metropolitan Police have stated that Arday’s death is not considered suspicious.
Ms. Rachel's Broader Activism and Past Controversies
Accurso has a history of making divisive statements on social media platforms. Just last month, she publicly supported a dozen Democratic candidates, notably endorsing former Representative Cori Bush of Missouri and Michigan U.S. Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, prior to significant primary elections.
Earlier, the children's content creator implied that racial considerations played a role in the inquiry into the unexplained death of Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells.
Over recent years, Accurso has also drawn criticism for her vocal opposition to Israel and her expressions of solidarity with Gaza amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In January, she encountered significant backlash after it appeared she had liked an antisemitic comment on one of her Instagram posts, which stated, "Free America from the Jews." She subsequently released an emotional apology video, asserting the action was unintentional.
