'Living funeral,' march held for mother questioning police account of son's death at Duquesne

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'Living funeral,' march held for mother questioning police account of son's death at Duquesne

Kristina Serafini | Thursday, August 6, 2020 11:21 p.m.

Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review

An empty casket is carried during procession for Dannielle Brown’s “living funeral” in Pittsburgh’s Hill District on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. The event marked the 34th day of her hunger strike as she looks for answers to questions surrounding her son Marquis Jaylen Brown’s death at Duquesne University two years ago.

A “living funeral” and march were held Thursday as Dannielle Brown continues her search for answers in her son’s death at Duquesne University nearly two years ago.

The event began at Freedom Corner in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, where Brown has been staging a hunger strike since July 4. From there, “pallbearers,” carrying an empty casket, led a procession through Uptown, past a mural honoring her son, Marquis Jaylen Brown, and then to Duquesne University’s Brottier Hall where a wreath was laid in his memory.

Police say Marquis Brown jumped to his death from his dorm room on the 16th floor of Brottier Hall in October 2018.

Dannielle Brown wants Duquesne University to release information to her third-party investigator in an effort to get answers about what led her son to jump.

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