FBI closes investigation into noose found at Johns Hopkins-owned building The bureau's inquiries and a separate investigation led by JHU's Office of Institutional Equity were unable to determine who was responsible for July 2020 incident By Hub staff report / Published May 7, 2021 An FBI investigation related to a noose found last summer in a construction area of a Johns Hopkins University-owned building has been closed, the university said today, with the bureau unable to find sufficient evidence to pursue charges "despite extensive efforts." An independent investigation led by JHU's Office of Institutional Equity was also unable to conclusively determine who was responsible.