Sandra Bland laid to rest as questions arise

Andrea Mandell | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Sandra Bland laid to rest but questions remain Sandra Bland, the woman found dead in a Texas jail cell, was laid to rest in Lisle, Illinois. As mourners remembered the 28-year-old, her family is still questioning the ruling of her death as a suicide.

Mourners gathered on Saturday to lay Sandra Bland to rest, as questions about the circumstances of her death continue to rise.

Bland was arrested on July 10 after failing to use a turn signal and becoming combative with a state trooper in Waller County, Texas, authorities said. The 28-year-old was about to start a new job at Prairie Valley A&M University in Texas.

Three days after she was arrested, Bland was found dead, hanging from a noose made from a plastic bag in her Texas jail cell.

Now, with her mugshot circulating, debate has erupted over whether Bland might actually be dead in the photo and whether the potentially fabricated image is part of a cover-up for some harm that came her way. Forensic pathologist Michael Baden, who has consulted in many high-profile cases, examined the image for USA TODAY and said he does not see any evidence that would indicate Bland is not alive in the mugshot.

A wake and funeral was held for Bland in Lisle, Ill., on Saturday morning.

At the service, held at DuPage A.M.E. Church in Lisle, many wore blue T-shirts with #SandySpeaks emblazoned on the front. The New York Times reports Bland was remembered by leaders as a smart, outspoken woman who once sang in the youth choir and participated in the church's Girl Scout unit. Bland served on church committees, befriended the congregation's elderly and had healthy self-confidence.

"This is someone who had over 50 selfies, healthy self-esteem," said Rev. Theresa Dear, according to the Times, who is an associate minister at DuPage who had known Bland since she started attending the church as a young girl. "Someone who had two job offers. Someone who just talked to her family and knew that help and rescue was on the way. This is someone who knew the Lord, and was extremely close with her church family and her sisters, her biological family. None of that adds up to taking one's life or suicide."

Bland's mother also reiterated that she does not believe her daughter committed suicide.

Meanwhile, fellow inmate Alexandria Pyle told CNN Bland had been despondent inside her cell that no one was returning her phone calls.

"She wasn't eating, and when I did talk to her, she was just crying and crying, and all I could say was they could not hold you forever," said Pyle.

Bland's friend, LaVaughn Mosley, told the Los Angeles Times he hadn't noticed the message and two missed calls Bland had placed from jail. He now describes her voicemail as "haunting and chilling."

"I just had to relive everything that had happened and to hear her voice after I knew she was gone," said Mosley. "Part of it was the guilt because I hadn't listened to it."