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The Texas Trooper who arrested Sandra Bland following a traffic stop last week violated procedures, officials say. He has been placed on desk duty after violating “the department’s procedures regarding traffic stops and the department’s courtesy policy.”

Bland, 28, died in the hands of police custody after she was found hanged in the Waller County Jail. Officials claim her death was a suicide, but her family is disputing the claim.

Now, the FBI has stepped in to help Texas Rangers in the investigation  of her death.

The Chicago native was arrested in Waller County, Texas on Friday and found dead in a jail cell on Monday. Police released additional information on the suicide claims Thursday.

“It appears she had used a trash bag to hang herself from a partition in the ceiling, which was used to give inmates privacy,” said Elton Mathis, district attorney of Waller County.

Facebook videos Bland posted in the past about police brutality and her alleged struggles with depression have been publicized, painting a portrait of a mentally unstable woman. Her friends and family however, aren’t buying that story.

“I talked to her Friday and she was in good spirits,” said LaVaughn Mosely. “Although she was incarcerated she was in good spirits. She was looking forward to posting bond Saturday and getting out. So you don’t go from that to hanging yourself.”

In the footage, she speaks positively about her “depressed moments” and how her faith got her through her struggles.

Another video posted before her death shows her speaking about the power of social media–the same medium where her story received the most attention.

The family has hired an attorney and will meet with investigators on Monday. A prayer vigil for Bland will also take place on Sunday with more details to follow.

NewsOne.com contributed to this report.

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SOURCE: USA Today, Twitter | VIDEO CREDIT: NDN, YouTube

SEE ALSO: Illinois Woman Who Drove To Texas For New Job Found Dead In Jail Cell Days Later

FBI Joins Sandra Bland Investigation As Officials Say Trooper ‘Violated’ Policy  was originally published on newsone.com

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