VICKSBURG, MS – The city of Vicksburg was struck by tragedy on Monday when the body of a man was discovered hanging from a tree near a wooded area close to Ameristar Casino. The Vicksburg Police Department responded to the scene on Washington Street shortly after 1 p.m., identifying the deceased as 35-year-old Corey Zukas from Brandon, Mississippi.
Zukas, believed to be homeless, was found by a peer in an area known to be frequented by the city’s homeless population. Authorities revealed that Zukas had recently participated in the River Rescue Mission’s dependency program, which brought him to Vicksburg.
The police department confirmed that they had notified Zukas’s family of his death, expressing their condolences. “Our hearts and sympathy go out to the family,” a spokesperson said, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the homeless community in Vicksburg and across Mississippi.
An initial investigation by the authorities found no signs of foul play in Zukas’s death. His body has been sent to the state crime lab for a detailed examination to confirm the cause of death.
In response to this incident and others like it, First District Illinois Congressman Jonathan Jackson, son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, addressed the House of Representatives on Tuesday. He called for a federal investigation by the Department of Justice to ensure justice and transparency in such cases.
Congressman Jackson emphasized the historical weight of these incidents, describing them as “echoes of losses” that resonate deeply within the nation’s history. He stressed the importance of addressing racial violence and exclusion, which continue to cast a shadow over the country.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.