DEMOPOLIS &8212; A man found hanged in a residential area behind John Essex High School remains in critical condition in a Birmingham hospital.

Marengo County Sheriff Chief Deputy Tommie Reese said a 22-year-old black male was discovered by friends hanging from a tree in their front yard when they arrived home. They called the man&8217;s mother, who in turn called the police, Reese said.

Reese did not release the name of the victim. The sheriff&8217;s department is still investigating the hanging, Reese said.

Reese said it appears that the man and his girlfriend were involved in a domestic dispute at some time before the hanging. He said the hanging most likely was linked in some way to the relationship. Reese said that so far no foul play is suspected, but that the investigation is ongoing.

The sheriff&8217;s department received a call at about midnight on May 2 from the man&8217;s mother. When a sheriff&8217;s deputy arrived at the scene of the hanging, the mother had already transported the man to Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital. After initial treatment, the man was transferred to UAB Medical Center in Birmingham.

Reese said the sister of the man&8217;s girlfriend and a second unidentified person found the man hanging in their yard when they arrived home. The girlfriend lives behind John Essex High School, Reese said.

Reese said that the investigation was focused on gathering information about events that led up to the hanging.