William Levell Hansbrough, 36

March 8, 2010, 11:12 a.m.

William Hansbrough, a 36-year-old black man, was strangled Thursday, March 4, in his County Jail cell in the 400 block of Bauchet Street in Chinatown, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

At the time of his death, Hansbrough was incarcerated at the Twin Towers jail on charges of possessing a firearm as an ex-felon. Hansbrough had been sharing a cell with Jamar Tucker, a 26-year-old black man whom authorities described as his friend and fellow 107 Hoovers gang member.

Tucker, who is fighting a death sentence in another conviction, had recently been transferred to Twin Towers from Tehachapi State Prison, where he was serving 11 life sentences for other crimes, according to Det. Kenneth Clark of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau.

Tucker and Hansbrough had been sharing a cell for about a month when friction started, Clark said.

After Hansbrough's death, Clark said, investigators determined that Tucker was apparently angry with his cellmate because he believed Hansbrough was taking credit for crimes he didn't do. Tucker is accused of strangling Hansbrough Thursday morning, then alerted a deputy that his cellmate was dead, Clark said.

During the homicide investigation, Clark said that Tucker freely admitted to killing Hansbrough. Tucker has been charged with murder and remains at Twin Towers jail.

-- Sarah Ardalani

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71 reader comments

This guy impacted lives and his life and death brought people to discuss god and death and life in general so his death was not in vain but its a shame that we as humans can be insensitive to others everybody seems to think that syscom is a smoking gun by his comments but who gives him the ammunition Its all good in the hood there is nothing wrong with the struggle of life and surviving against all odds The problem is all the senseless killing whatever happen to just whoopin a brotha's a&& and him seeing another day We as black gangsters of to day are short sighted and shallow about life we make syscom3 possible by our actions not his words can we really be mad at him At the same time syscom lives in another dimension so its easy to judge something he doesn't understand degradation loss hope and empty stomachs and a host of other ills gangster should fight the establishment thats got the hood like the way it is not the same people in place where they are at how can it ever change People die because of a lack of knowledge not man's but God's Until that day come keep your head up how else can God smile upon you and you make the difference
in a dying community ...world

— savemegod Nov. 27, 2012 at 10:55 a.m.

TM i miss & luv u im thankful 4 all the time we ever spent ive known u since u was a pup & u was taught by some of the best u been in the family 4ever.BM now u still same suicidal way at the hands of own.i know u was tired cuz u told me so of jail & so much bs 7 u was ready for the change that had started in u.my luv & prayer is for ur family & ur kids including vonda no matter wut ups & downs she stayed when no a11 else did.i know all u told me.rest luv 1 it wont b long now.to that nobody lil mark jamarwho couldnt stop no 1 from takin his manhood but can take a homie's life u commited suicide dummy.baby ray all the ray's are hooks in 1 way or another anyway,look wut jus happen 2 BLACK.so sad man.i luv u moo4 no more madness.i wish u could bust me 1 more rap esp.the 1 about the cartoon characters u had mad skills.

— da realest 1 June 14, 2010 at 10:59 a.m.

Syscom3 and chris are one in the same-or they know each other very well- he is always defending whatever comments syscom3 makes. Syscom3 is a very rude and judgemental individual and his comments are not " Keeping it real" They are filled with hatred for gang members and their families. If you were keeping it real and not sugar coating it like you say you are, you would be honest and admit that you hate gang members because of something you experienced in the past involving a gang or you are a former gang member. Never the less I think you enjoy the controversy you cause with your comments and I think you are a bitter person too. However ,I do not think you are a racist, confused and not truly informed of what living in the "hood" really consist of, but not a racist

— Weezy May 20, 2010 at 8:39 a.m.

PLEASE let us have our memories of my brother. you people have turn this into personal issues between each other but please try to put yourself in our shoes.
We are trying to complete our healing process. At least try to have a little respect for my mom and his girls. Asja auntie loves you always and always remember your daddy loved you.
I'm reading these post and death is death no matter if your fighting for USA or your hood. I know this very well my husband is military and he's @ war right now fighting so you don't have to but you choose to fight over this let him rest please none of you knew him.
There is only one judge and that's GOD. We are his family and were hard working people do we deserve this really. People you do not know his background your just judging him because it's human nature to behave in such a way.
You don't care that he was trying to change his life to try and become a better person for his kids all you hear is the negative because that's all you have to go on. This world is very sad because it has come to this i have lost one brother and i may lose my husband @ war but you people do not care as long as your ego is fed. Thank You "thecoming"

Sis,sis
May 19,2010 9:11pm

— Diana Hansbrough May 19, 2010 at 9:19 p.m.

William Hansbrough is my big brother and i love him no matter what he has done in his life....you people are acting like you have never done anything wrong in your life...well let me inform you a little about him.
He is a wonderful brother, uncle and son & friend to those who were in his heart. yes, my mother & I feel the lost everyday and will continue to feel this lost. if you didn't know him then don't judge him that's for god to do not for you fake a$$ people that don't have anything better to do. my brother was very talented he had a wonderful mind and for those of you who knew him that are post your comments on this you knew that his rapping skills were sick as hell...."I'M HIS NUMBER ONE FAN AND WILL ALWAYS BE". The System fail to keep my brother safe. I ask myself everyday along with many others why in the hell was Jamar Tucker in the cell with my brother in the first place....the detective on the case told my mom some bulls@!t.
rest in peace to my brother and i love you & miss you always. my heart bleeds everyday....THREE HEARTS BEATING AS ONE"

Sis,Sis

— Diana Hansbrough May 19, 2010 at 8:03 p.m.

Syscom3 has a personal vendetta against gang members. You can just sense that his blood is boiling with hate as he types. He probably got punked a lot when he was younger. I grew up in a "hood" and had a lot of friends that were gang members because they were the same kids that I grew up with in my apartments, played sports with, went to school with. My best friend was shot in the head by a gang member right in front of me at the park in 98'. I chose to get my education, and I'm a working professional with no criminal record. I don't condone gang members in the least bit but I understand there struggle. I can sympathize. I volunteer to help at risk youth, and try to help them see the bigger picture. Syscom3's hate and judgement are not a part of the solution. It's sad.

— 619 April 8, 2010 at 7:46 p.m.

LIL MADMAN, answer my question: Why do you refer to the deceased as being a soldier? Was he an active member of the armed forces, or was he considered a soldier as part of his gang (in which case, hes a sociopath or urban terrorist).

CARLTON; stop screaming "racism" whenever you find you're in disagreement with someone. The word itself has been cheapened so much that it now means nothing.

As for the purpose of this blog, its been said many times that the good and bad about the deceased can be talked about.

Mr. Hansbrough was a gangster and lets not sugarcoat the life he led. You may say good things about him. But you fail to recognize a lot of people were victimized by what he did and the people he associated with, and they have a totally different viewpoint.

I am waiting for the deceased's family or friends to apologize to the neighborhood, his victims and to the state for the lawlessness he was a part of.

— syscom3 March 18, 2010 at 4:18 p.m.