After a 16-year-old girl was found dead hanging from a tree on April 18 in Hopkinton, a town 30 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office announced it's amending the investigation to focus on the suspicious circumstances of her death. 

“The death of Mikayla Miller is a tragedy and an unimaginable loss for her family and the entire community,” a statement from District Attorney Marian Ryan read. “We know that everyone mourning her is seeking answers. Our investigation into the events of April 17-18, 2021, remains open. While we await a ruling on the cause and manner of death from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, we will continue gathering information and interviewing witnesses. As this investigation unfolds, we will continue to update Mikayla’s family and their representatives.” 

At around 7:45 a.m. on April 18, Miller's body was found hanging from a tree by a jogger, off of a trail near the apartments where she resided. 

Initially, a spokesperson for Ryan’s office said Miller’s death was not viewed as suspicious, but that the case was “open and active,” the MetroWest Daily News reported. 

In a statement, the 16-year-old’s mother wrote that the Hopkinton police failed to properly log incidents pertaining to her daughter's death.

“The Hopkinton police did not log either the incident when my daughter was ambushed now when she was found dead,” the statement read. “The state police did NOT conduct an investigation or speak to the persons involved.”

She also said that Sergeant Sean O’Brien of the Millbury Police Barracks advised her not to take the story of the teen’s death to the media, otherwise her “sexuality” would be exposed. Miller identified as a part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

“Well I did go to the media and they will not cover up her murder,” the statement continued.

Miller attended and was a student-athlete at Hopkinton High School, which is almost exclusively white. 

According to Violence In Boston, Inc. which aims to create “safer, healthier, and empowered Black and brown communities,” Miller was allegedly assaulted by a group of white kids prior to being found dead. 

The organization also called out Ryan’s office for handling cases subjectively in the past.  

“5 White teens in Hopkinton, MA Jumped and beat up #MikaylaMiller hours later she was dead," they wrote in a tweet. “We want answers from @DAMarianRyan who's office has a history of Withholding evidence & forcing independent reviews. See you soon. #JusticeForMikayla @TalbertSwan @BreeNewsome @FredTJoseph.”

According to Ryan, a physical altercation between Miller and two other teenagers, one male and one female, following a romantic tiff. 

“We know it was an altercation among people who were known to each other,” Ryan said, CBS Boston reported. 

While the investigation remains underway, Miller's family is mourning the loss of their loved one. 

"Today was the funeral for my little sister Mikayla Miller," Duane Miller, Mikayla’s brother tweeted. “Baby girl was only 16. Mikayla I love you and I miss you. You and Dad are in a safe place. I hope I can make you both proud one day. Rest in Paradise."

Today was the funeral for my little sister Mikayla Miller. Baby girl was only 16. Mikayla I love you and I miss you. You and Dad are in a safe place. I hope I can make you both proud one day. Rest in Paradise. ❤ pic.twitter.com/Buvb9t1SHq

— Duane Miller (@Cinemaniac94) April 30, 2021

On Thursday, a candlelight vigil and rally will be held for the teenager where she was found, near the Boston Marathon starting line. 

“This is America and this is Hopkinton Massachusetts,” Violence In Boston wrote on Facebook. “Let’s show up and support this family. #JusticeForMikayla#SayHerName#BlackLivesMatter.”

Black-lives-matterjustice-for-mikalyaMikayla-MillerSay-Her-Name