Noose left outside home of popular Houston Jazz musician

Houston jazz artist Erica Nicole was left this ominous threat outside her Bellaire apartment Friday night. Houston jazz artist Erica Nicole was left this ominous threat outside her Bellaire apartment Friday night. Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Noose left outside home of popular Houston Jazz musician 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A popular Houston pop/jazz musician says she is scared to go out after dark after a noose was left hanging from a tree outside her apartment.

Erica Nicole says she saw the noose hanging after returning home from a show on in the Memorial area Friday night.

"I came back with a friend and when I went out to walk her home, she said, 'Erica, there's a noose in that tree right there'," Nicole said.

"I've lived here for 13 years, I've never had anything like that happen," the artist said of her apartment between Buffalo Speedway and South Rice Boulevard.

Houston Police were called to the scene and Nicole said an officer helped her take down the rope before advising her there was nothing more he could do.

"It's pretty scary, even if it was a prank," the musician said. "I don't really know what to do, I don't know who could have done something like that ... I just want to get the word out."

The artist said she suspects the noose was meant for her because it was placed there just after she came home and she only has one black neighbor.