After a black man in Alabama was found hanging in an abandoned house, the local sheriff’s department ruled his death a suicide — but his wife thinks there’s more to the story. The FBI is now investigating his death.

When the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office first ruled the death of 39-year-old Dennoriss Richardson, whose body was discovered Sept. 28, a suicide, his wife, Leigh Richardson, became suspicious for several reasons .

Dennoriss, a father of five and children’s baseball and soccer coach, left no notes, Leigh told CNN and the Associated Press. He also had no connection – to his knowledge – with the house where his body was found, located miles from his residence in Sheffield.

Leigh, who was estranged but on good terms with Dennoriss at the time of his death. said AL.com that she needs answers. “It was presented as a suicide,” she said. “It’s not suicide.”

Dennoriss’ mother, Bonita Richardson, came to the same conclusion and even paid for a private autopsy of his body. “My son was joyful,” she told AL.com. “He had no mental problems. He would never commit suicide. He wouldn’t hurt himself.

Leigh fears that, rather than a suicide, Dennoriss’ death was somehow linked to a lawsuit he filed against local police earlier this year, the AP reported. In the lawsuit — one of several similar lawsuits currently facing Sheffield police — Dennoriss alleged that while incarcerated, he was assaulted, tear-gassed, shocked with a Taser and denied medical care.

Leigh’s fear is also heightened by Colbert County residents’ long-standing distrust of local law enforcement, with several community members making allegations of excessive force similar to Dennoriss’s, reported the AP, as well as by the fact that he died by hanging, which speaks to the state of the region. long history of lynchings.

Given the legacy of racial violence, Tori Bailey, president of the local NAACP chapter, told the AP it made sense that community members would have a “visceral” reaction to the hanging of a black man and want a thorough investigation to be carried out.

After the Sheriff’s Department’s investigation into Dennoriss’ death left his loved ones more skeptical than satisfied, Sheriff Eric Balentine called the FBI to conduct his own, he told the AP. The federal agency is currently reviewing allegations of criminal misconduct.

“We are confident in our findings,” Balentine told the AP, “but we think that by doing this we can give the family more peace of mind.”

“Transparency is always a good way to mend some barriers with the community,” the sheriff added.

Want to stay up to date with the latest crime coverage? Register for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, coverage of ongoing trials and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Dennoriss had previously had several run-ins with Sheffield police over the years, including a five-year stint in prison for a drug possession charge in 2006, according to the AP. He was also arrested at least six other times on robbery and assault charges, none of which resulted in a conviction.

According to Leigh, however, his history with Sheffield police dates back to his childhood. “They harassed him his whole life,” she told AL.com.

The week he filed his complaint against the department in February, he was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, according to the outlet. He was out on bail at the time of his death.

The Colbert County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Leigh, who has not made specific accusations but remains certain that her husband did not commit suicide, told CNN that she was “very suspicious of the circumstances that occurred in his life before his death.” .

“I hope the FBI and the Department of Justice will look into all the details,” she said. “And not just for Dennoriss, this is a huge problem in our community.”

Leigh also said the father of five’s absence was felt by his wife, children and community following his death.

“He took being a father, a role model, very seriously,” Leigh told CNN of her late husband. “He was not only a good father, but he was also a mentor in the community, and he had many nieces and nephews who looked up to him. »

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line to 741741 or visit 988lifeline.org.