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Contested death (2000 to present)

Nevan Baker

Ruled suicide, disputedOct 5, 2020 · Age 22 · Orlando, FL

Who Nevan was

Nevan R. Baker Jr. was born on May 21, 1998. He lived with his grandmother, Francine James, about a mile from George Barker Park in Orlando. His mother is Sharhonda James, and his sister is Jamia Douglas.

His grandmother calls him a gentle soul who helped her around the house, smart and good with math and technology. His sister writes that he had given his life to Christ and hoped to become an electrician.

He was 22.

Portrait of Nevan Baker
Courtesy of the Baker family · where it was shared

In the words of those who knew them

  • “My brother had gave his life to Christ & was a good kid with aspirations of becoming an electrician.”Jamia Douglas, his sister, on the family's fundraiser · source
  • “I know my child.”Sharhonda James, his mother · source
  • “We're not going to let this go; the community is not going to let this go.”Sharhonda James, his mother, to the Orlando Sentinel · source

What happened

Nevan Baker, 22, lived with his grandmother about a mile from George Barker Park in Orlando. Before dawn in early October 2020, a man walking his dog found him in a tree in the park. The police case report, as cited by Newsweek, puts the discovery at about 3:45 a.m. on Oct. 4; his family and Spectrum News 13 give Oct. 5. Officers responded and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Atlanta Black Star reported that the medical examiner ruled the death a suicide on Oct. 6, and police said they'd found no evidence of foul play.

His family disputed the ruling. His grandmother, Francine James, told Spectrum News 13 he "would've never walked this far without his ID." On Oct. 11, attorney Ben Crump publicly called for transparency and a full investigation, citing claims police disputed. Police said body camera video and scene photos showed no signs of restraint or bruising.

On Oct. 12, Police Chief Orlando Rolon met with the family, and relatives, an attorney and clergy viewed body camera footage and scene photos. The next day police released nearly 100 records, including the 911 call, reports and video. His mother, Sharhonda James, told reporters things "weren't adding up," and the family asked investigators to review park surveillance video and his phone. He was buried Oct. 17. Police said in October 2020 that the case remained open; no further findings have been reported, and the suicide ruling stands.

The case

Where found
Tree in George Barker Park
Official finding
Suicide (medical examiner; Orlando Police said they found no evidence of foul play)
Time to finding
About 1 day from discovery to the medical examiner's ruling
Investigation
Orlando Police. Police said the investigation remained open, and the chief met with the family Oct 12, 2020. Police said body camera video and scene photos showed no signs of restraint or bruising.
Family position
The family disputes the ruling, says things still don't add up, and wants park surveillance video and a review of his phone. Attorney Ben Crump publicly supported the family.
Public evidence
Orlando Police showed the family, their attorney and clergy the body camera and scene evidence on Oct 12, 2020, and released nearly 100 records the next day, including the 911 call, reports, body camera video and scene photos.
Federal review
None reported
Last verified
2026-10-18
Verification note: Discovery date: the family and obituary say Oct 5, 2020; the Orlando Sentinel and others cite Oct 4.

Sources

Record history

  1. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Record updated
    • What happened updated
    • What happened sources updated
  2. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Record updated
    • Official finding: Suicide (medical examiner; Orlando Police said they found no evidence of foul play)
    • Time to finding: About 1 day from discovery to the medical examiner's ruling
    • Family position: The family disputes the ruling, says things still don't add up, and wants park surveillance video and a review of his phone. Attorney Ben Crump publicly supported the family.
    • Public evidence: Orlando Police showed the family, their attorney and clergy the body camera and scene evidence on Oct 12, 2020, and released nearly 100 records the next day, including the 911 call, reports, body camera video and scene photos.
    • Verification note: Discovery date: the family and obituary say Oct 5, 2020; the Orlando Sentinel and others cite Oct 4.
  3. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Record updated
    • Life updated
    • Remembered updated
    • Life sources updated
  4. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Portrait added (Courtesy of the Baker family)
  5. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Case added
    • Name: Nevan Baker
    • Age: 22
    • Date found: 2020-10-05
    • City or county: Orlando
    • State: FL
    • Status: Ruled suicide, disputed
    • Where found: Tree in George Barker Park
    • Official finding: Suicide (medical examiner, per Spectrum News 13, Oct 13, 2020)
    • Time to finding: About one week
    • Investigation: Orlando Police. Police said the investigation remained open, and the chief met with the family Oct 12, 2020. Police said body camera video and scene photos showed no signs of restraint or bruising.
    • Family position: Family disputes the ruling. His grandmother said he wouldn't have walked that far without his ID. Attorney Ben Crump called for a full, transparent investigation.
    • Public evidence: Police cited body camera video and scene photos. Black Enterprise (2023) reported his mother cited facial injuries in disputing the ruling.
    • Federal review: None reported
    • Verification note: The mother's account of facial injuries comes from a 2023 Black Enterprise article about a different case.
    • Sources updated