Content warning: This article contains references to suicide.
Friends of Randy Dudley, a queer Black man who was found dead in Bernal Heights Park earlier this year, issued a “call to action” at a Thursday night city meeting to ask for a closer look into a death that the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office ruled a suicide.
A jogger spotted Dudley hanging from a tree on Bernal Hill in the early-morning hours of April 30, and the medical examiner’s office issued a preliminary ruling of suicide. But, months later, his friends say they are skeptical of the finding, and that police have done little to scrutinize the death.
“What I’d really like to see is a thorough investigation,” said Paul Aguilar, Dudley’s close friend and housemate at Marty’s Place, a housing co-op off of 25th Street for HIV-positive men. “Because it makes no sense to me.”
The medical examiner’s office has not released details about the death, but did say in a statement that its findings are based on “various forensic investigative methods, including scene investigation, toxicology analysis, and examination of the decedent.”
“In this case, the totality of our investigation led to certification of the manner of death as suicide,” the statement continued.
Standing before the Human Rights Commission in a wood-paneled chamber on the fourth floor of City Hall on Thursday, Aguilar, who is on the board of Marty’s Place, went over the events that led up to and followed Dudley’s death.
On the evening of April 29, the night before his body was found, Dudley sent Aguilar a text asking for him to “leave the door unchained” to their home, Aguilar said. He said Dudley was coming back from his cousin’s, and planned to arrive home later than usual.
The next day, when Aguilar learned of Dudley’s death, he accompanied Dudley’s cousin to the medical examiner’s office. It was there he learned Dudley’s death had been ruled a suicide. Police sources stated in the days that followed there was “no evidence of foul play suspected at this time.”
“I was stunned when I heard the news.” he said, his voice wavering. “I could not process it.”
Aguilar said he was told at the medical examiner’s office the ruling was determined based on a note found on Dudley’s phone. The note asks, in the event that he were ever found incapacitated and unable to communicate, that medical professionals allow him to die rather than remain on life support. But Aguilar said he remembers reading this note from Dudley 10 years ago, after Dudley tested positive for HIV, and that it was common for HIV-positive men to write such notes.
“Those of us who lived through those AIDS generation years, we all have a document like that somewhere so that somebody can find it,” Aguilar said. “It’s not a suicide letter.”
The medical examiner’s office did not answer questions about how important the note was in its ruling, but emphasized that it relies on various methods. Dudley’s sister said in the past that the office had shared details on the manner of her brother’s death that left her inclined to believe its ruling, and police sources also said details at the scene of death indicated suicide.
Still, in the six weeks that have elapsed since Dudley’s body was found, no one staying at Marty’s Place has been contacted by law enforcement or the medical examiner’s office, Aguilar said.
“For five months, day in, day out, in the room next to mine, eating meals with me, going to parties with me, going to work with me, going to political activities with me, Dudley lived,” Aguilar said. “You would think somebody would want to interview me about his state of mind or something.”
Dudley was 34 years old and had just moved from New York back to San Francisco, where he attended college alongside Aguilar at San Francisco State University. He was remembered by friends as a dancer, a fashionista, and a “reflection of a disco ball in the sunlight.”
“He would even dance just walking down the street,” his sister, Chanell Dudley, said. He was days away from his 35th birthday, and about to start a new job at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in their Black health program the day after his death.
At Thursday’s meeting, LGBTQI+ Advisory Committee member Vince Crisostomo described the “call to action” as a request from the community for a resolution and “for the truth.”
“If it was a suicide, let that be known,” Crisostomo said. “If it was a lynching, then that needs to be known.”
Two friends of Dudley’s stood in the back of the quiet chamber, a canvas banner in hand, dotted with colorful photos commemorating his life. One of the two friends, Dominique Charles, a woman who’s known Dudley for the past 16 years, spoke last.
“Knowing that a dear friend and colleague was hung in a space that he moved back to is beyond words,” she said. “He was presented with so much opportunity. He was full of life and full of love.”
“What I personally grieve is the potential for what is to come,” added Crisostomo. “The possibility of his life.”
Michael Nguyen, a local activist and member of LGBTQI+ Advisory Committee, also took the mic for public comment, highlighting another situation that took place in the city in 2020, involving the death of Jaxon Sales, a young, gay, Asian American man.
In 2022, Sen. Scott Wiener wrote to the police chief and medical examiner about the “inadequate investigation of this tragedy.” Four years later, his family is still fighting for transparency, demanding a forensic investigation this March, according to the community newspaper Mahalaya.
“I just want to call out that this kind of disregard for human life, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, is commonplace,” Nguyen said. “It’s a pattern.”
In response to Dudley’s case, the Human Rights Commission said it plans to meet with the U.S. Attorney’s office on July 16 for a discussion on hate crime. Members also expressed an intent to submit an inquiry into the case and bring it to the Board of Supervisors.
Commissioner Jason Pellegrini commented on the persisting urgency of the request, hoping the case “doesn’t linger longer than it has.”
“As a Black, gay man myself, it’s really disturbing to see, and know that this is something that has happened here in our community,” Commissioner Jayson Johnson said. “We all deserve to be safe in our community. We all deserve to feel a sense of belonging in our community, and situations like this block that sense of safety and security.”
Outside of the chamber, a group of students who had presented earlier in the meeting shuffled by Crisostomo in the hall. A few thanked him for speaking out. “Justice for Randy,” one student said.
Aguilar, for his part, said he wants answers — whatever they may be.
“The fact that they just dismissed it so quickly, without even knowing who this person was. It bugs me,” he said. “How many times has this happened that we don’t know about?”
If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
I’m all for scrutiny when there’s a tragedy like this, with that, can someone explain to me what the basis has been for determining this tragedy hasn’t been given an appropriate amount of attention or undergone reasonable scrutiny? This person was found deceased in a pretty rare and unusual circumstance, a circumstance usually but not exclusively seen when people take their own life. The possibility that this person was the victim of homicide seems highly unlikely given the location and context. The deceased’s sister said herself she believed SFPD was correct in the determination of suicide. According to her there’s a long history of mental health issues and suicide attempts in this persons past, that’s tragic..it’s also highly relevant. Given the context and information we the public have been made aware of, it speaks to a separate agenda or possibly just ignorance or irresponsibility on the part of those claiming this tragedy wasn’t given adequate concern, resources, or effort. Sadly, the conclusion reached by police in this case seems to pan out. Attempts to make this persons untimely passing divisive and political by making it about the police or about supposed lack of broader support to LGBT people when they’re victims is disturbing and atypical of those experiencing genuine loss.
Thank you for your comment and your concern regarding Randy Dudley’s tragic death. I want to clarify some important points that have been misunderstood or misrepresented.
First, Randy’s sister never confirmed a belief in the SFPD’s determination of suicide. She mentioned being inclined to believe it due to the way the information was presented to her by the authorities, who are often seen as figures of authority and expertise. This does not equate to a full endorsement of their ruling, especially given the lack of a thorough investigation.
Secondly, Randy did not have a history of suicide attempts. This claim is entirely false and harmful. Spreading misinformation about Randy’s mental health history does a great disservice to his memory and the ongoing efforts to seek justice and clarity about his death.
The skepticism surrounding the determination of suicide stems from the context and circumstances of Randy’s death, which many of his close friends and loved ones find suspicious. The request for a more thorough investigation is not about making this case divisive or political; it is about ensuring that every possible avenue is explored and that the truth is uncovered, whatever it may be.
Randy’s friends and family deserve to feel confident that his death was thoroughly and fairly investigated. Given the unusual circumstances of his death and the initial quick ruling of suicide, it is reasonable and responsible to ask for a closer examination.
Thank you for your understanding and for taking the time to engage with this important issue.
Randy Dudley Mom
Robin Dudley
Randy did not do this to himself. But look how quickly nothing gets investigated so for the police to take and lean on the easy route on doing a investigation hints the reason they didn’t evan bother to talk to the people that were around him daily because they figure why complicate things , will just go with what we got and go home. I’m his mother I seen the effort.
Hey everyone, I need to clarify a misrepresentation in my previous statement about my daughter’s beliefs regarding Randy’s death. In my initial post, I mentioned that she was inclined to believe the authorities’ determination because of how the information was presented by authority figures. This was incorrect.
My daughter came to her conclusion on her own, without being influenced by the fact that the information came from authority figures. She never told me that her belief was based on the source of the information, and I apologize for assuming and implying otherwise.
Additionally, I read a statement where my daughter mentioned wanting a thorough investigation into Randy’s death. This seemed to contradict the idea of being inclined to believe the initial ruling, as seeking a thorough investigation often implies a degree of skepticism.
I’m deeply sorry for any confusion or hurt my words may have caused. My intention has always been to seek clarity and justice for Randy. I appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate through this difficult time.”. Randy did not have a history of suicide attempts . Me myself Robin Dudley Randy’s mother still believe their needs to be a investigation.To many things don’t ad up