FBI Probing Teen's Hanging Originally Ruled a Suicide

The FBI is reviewing the investigation into the apparent hanging death of a 17-year-old boy that was originally ruled a suicide, the U.S. attorney said today.

Lennon Lacy, an African-American teen, was found hanging from a swing set near a trailer park in Bladenboro, North Carolina, in August.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been handling the case until today, but District Attorney Jon Davis announced that the FBI is joining the case after Lacy's relatives' attorneys called for federal involvement.

Davis reiterated that he believes that the case has been handled professionally, but asked the FBI to help as an act of transparency.

"This is ongoing. This case has never been closed. It is now being enhanced by the presence of Federal Bureau of Investigation and together we put in place a process that represents the best possibility of seeking truth," Davis said.

Lacy's mother Claudia and brother Pierre spoke to Yahoo Global Anchor Katie Couric last month about their pursuit for justice and a thorough investigation.

"It's not about black or white. It's about social class. You know, I just feel like the poorer you are in America, the less opportunity you have to have justice or anything that's rightfully yours as an American. Someone needs to shine the light on that," Pierre Lacy said.

Lennon's mother said that she thinks that the details of the scene and the way his body was hanging -- using a dog leash and belt -- suggest that it was not a suicide.

"I can accept anything long as it's explained to where I can understand. You see what I'm saying?" Claudia Lacy told Couric. "I don't say answer all the questions, just answer that question. Prove to me how he did it. Because I can't conceive him even thinking that in his, in his mind. I didn't raise my child to think, 'Take a life,' not even his."