*The family of 20-year-old Daelena Mackay, who was pronounced dead after her ex-boyfriend reported a suicide attempt, is urging investigators to reexamine the circumstances surrounding her death.
Mackay, who was about to graduate from LA City College and had summer travel plans, was found hanging with a scarf in the bathroom of her Hollywood Boulevard apartment.
There was no note left behind, and her family is raising serious questions.
“Did she take her life, or was her life taken from her,” asked her brother Kaevaan Mackay. Speaking on behalf of the family, he expressed doubts about the thoroughness of the investigation. “I want the Coroner’s Office to do their job and look into the details,” he said.
According to an LAPD death investigation report, Mackay argued with her ex-boyfriend on the evening of May 23 about her reconnecting with a man out of state. The ex-boyfriend reportedly left the building around 8 p.m. to “de-escalate the situation” and returned several hours later, finding Mackay hanging from a red scarf in the bathroom. He untied her, placed her on the floor, and began CPR. Paramedics arrived and continued CPR but pronounced her dead just after midnight.
Her father, actor Dwayne Adway, expressed his heartbreak and suspicions to NBCLA about the cause of her death.
“I am heartbroken and grieving the loss of my beautiful, smart, and talented daughter,” Adway said. “I am seeking a full investigation from LAPD in hopes of finding the truth and justice.” Adway added, “I’m trying to apply pressure to the LAPD.
“They are dead set on staying where they are and not looking more into the case. This seems to be happening a lot in LA with black and brown girls who die and are written off as suicides,” Adway later told The NYPost.
Daelena’s mother, Elaine Mackay, has also insisted that her daughter had suspicious injuries and decried the lack of an autopsy. Elaine has been raising money for a private autopsy after observing extensive bruising and other injuries on Daelena’s body at a funeral home. “I’m trying to fight for justice,” she said.
The LAPD stated on Tuesday that detectives thoroughly investigated the circumstances of the death and were satisfied with their efforts. They also mentioned having met with the Mackay family multiple times to address their concerns.
The LA County Medical Examiner-Coroner determined on May 25 that the cause of death was suicide by hanging, but the family was shocked to learn no autopsy had been performed. The Medical Examiner stated that “an autopsy was not required” based on an external examination and the circumstances surrounding the death, directing further questions to the LAPD.
“They were just so nonchalant about it,” said Kaevaan Mackay. “‘Oh, this is just another case that we’re dealing with. It clearly looks like a suicide. Let’s just write it off as that.’ Where’s the passion for the answer?”
As the family continues to seek answers, they hope their efforts will bring justice and clarity to Daelena Mackay’s untimely death.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: KeKe Jabbar: Funeral Arrangements for ‘Love & Marriage: Huntsville’ Star Announced + WATCH Her Last Video
The post LAPD Faces Scrutiny as Hollywood Actor and Family Question Suicide Ruling of Daelena Mackay | VIDEO appeared first on EURweb.