Rev. T. Anthony Spearman, a 71-year-old civil rights advocate and former president of the North Carolina branch of the NAACP, died on July 19, 2022, in Greensboro, NC. According to an autopsy report released on February 14, 2023, Spearman's death was ruled a suicide. He was found in his home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Family members discovered him during a welfare check, and he was reported to be in good spirits during a Zoom meeting the night before.
In the week leading up to
his death, Spearman reported an armed robbery at his home. He alleged that a man asked for $2,000, which Spearman did not have, and the man took Spearman's cellphone and attempted to transfer money using an app. The man allegedly pulled a gun, and when Spearman grabbed it, a shot was fired, though Spearman was not hurt. The man was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to kill, but was later released on bond.
Spearman had been involved in several legal disputes before his death. He filed a lawsuit against state and national NAACP officials, accusing them of defamation and conspiracy to remove him from the presidency. He alleged that his support for a woman who claimed she was sexually harassed by a member of the state conference led to efforts to oust him.
Despite the legal challenges and the robbery incident, the autopsy confirmed that Spearman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death drew widespread attention, with many praising his work as an advocate for social justice. Spearman's family described him as a man of strong conviction who loved his family deeply.
