ANN ARBOR, MI - A rope resembling a noose found inside University Hospital was not the result of a hate crime, but a practice knot used in fishing, University of Michigan police have found.

An investigation by UM’s Division of Public Safety and Security concluded the spool rope used for medical procedures was being used by a person on a break to practice tying a “Uni Knot,” which is a type of knot used for fishing. After the spool was returned to the storage area, the knot was still in place and discovered the following day by an employee.

The rope is typically used for traction after surgical procedures, DPSS Director of Strategic Communications Heather Young said. The loose end of the rope was tied in the knot while still connected to the spool, Young noted.

UM police received a report on June 20 that a Michigan Medicine employee found the rope sitting on a shared workspace in University Hospital.

An employee came forward to clear the air after the incident was reported, Young said, explaining why the rope had been tied the way it was.

“It was a case of (the rope) getting moved by several different people,” she said, adding that there was no evidence to indicate that a crime, motivated by bias, had been committed.

After the initial report, the incident was described as “a symbol of hate and discrimination” by Marschall Runge, executive vice president for medical affairs and dean of the UM Medical School.

Based on multiple witness interviews and other evidence, however, UM police do not believe that the incident was a hate crime. If relevant new information comes forward, the case will be reopened, UM police noted.

“We all share the responsibility of creating a safe and secure environment free from violent or threatening behavior,” said DPSS Executive Director Eddie L. Washington, Jr. “Any crime designed to infringe upon these rights will be taken very seriously by the university and DPSS.”