ORLANDO, Fla. – A video that was posted online and viewed nearly 10,000 times shows well-known Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill mumbling "Power to the people" and phrases, which has many asking if she was under the influence of any drugs.
"Power to the people, uh, we're back," Hill said in the video. "Actually, I'm not all that cohesive..."
The commissioner said in a statement released Thursday evening that she "adamantly" denies the use of drugs. She said the video doesn't show a commissioner high on drugs, it shows a mother in grief.
According to Tallahassee police, her 24-year old daughter, Arvonni DeBose, died under suspicious circumstances death in August 2015.
"The video depicts a mother who is overcome dealing with the loss of her daughter," the statement read.
Hill has been using video diaries to cope with the grief, the statement reads. It also said the video shared on social media is a personal video that she did not authorize anyone to release.
Since the video surfaced, News 6 called, emailed, texted and even sat in Hill's office for three hours to have her to provide some context, such as when this video was made and who may have leaked it.
She refused to talk, however, until News 6 caught up with her leaving the office Thursday.
Her assistant once again referenced the statement, which ends with, "Having been forced to relive the video by its publication on social media, Commissioner Hill has recognized the need to seek professional grief counseling."
News 6 also asked Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer about the video. He didn't want to comment and would only say, "I'm aware of the video, but I haven't seen it."
Hill's full statement is available below.
"Since the tragic loss of her daughter, Commissioner Hill has been using video diaries to cope with the grief and the pain. The video that has been shared on social media is a personal video that Commissioner Hill did not authorize release of. With the video, some are making allegations of drug abuse. Commissioner Hill adamantly denies the use of drugs. Instead, the video depicts a mother who is overcome dealing with the loss of her daughter. Having been forced to relive the video by its publication on social media, Commissioner Hill has recognized the need to seek professional grief counseling."