UPDATE: A community in Plainfield, New Jersey, is reigniting calls for justice as the **35-year-old case** of **Santana Hannah**, a **19-year-old** found dead in police custody, is set to be commemorated this weekend. Friends and family are planning a block party and press conference on **April 10**, the anniversary of his death, urging the **Union County Prosecutor’s Office** to reopen the investigation.
Hannah was discovered hanging in his cell just hours after being arrested alongside **Wendell Cheese** for allegedly breaking into parking meters. The **medical examiner** ruled his death a suicide—a conclusion that has long been contested by Hannah’s supporters who suspect police brutality was involved.
Activist **Salaam Ismiall**, who has been vocal about police misconduct, questioned the suicide ruling, stating, “What would drive a 19-year-old man to kill himself? After being arrested for a parking meter? It makes no sense.” Ismiall revealed that hours after his arrest, Hannah called his mother, claiming he had been beaten by officers.
According to the grand jury report released in **May 1990**, which accepted the suicide ruling, Hannah’s mother, **Venus Hannah**, testified that her son told her, “They beat us up bad.” Witness accounts, including from Cheese, described officers striking them during the arrest—allegations that were dismissed by the grand jury due to Cheese’s criminal history.
The tension surrounding the case has led to persistent marches and demonstrations advocating for a thorough investigation. Activists argue that the **Union County Prosecutor’s Office** rushed to clear the officers involved and failed to consider critical evidence, including testimony from an **EMT** who reportedly observed bruises on Hannah.
The community’s frustration is palpable as they remember the young man who was awaiting sentencing for a minor drug offense at the time of his death. His family previously settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the city for **$17,500** while seeking to hold police accountable.
“We want to get justice for this young man,” Ismiall asserted. “We’re looking for this cold case to be fired up.” The case has sparked renewed interest, and with the anniversary approaching, advocates are hopeful for a breakthrough in the long-standing mystery.
The **Union County Prosecutor’s Office** has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the reopening of the case. As the community prepares for this weekend’s events, the question remains unanswered: What truly happened to Santana Hannah in that police cell **35 years ago**?