JACKSON, MS ‒ The family of a Black student whose body was found hanging from a tree on a university campus in the Mississippi Delta called for transparency in the death investigation on Sept. 16 after recent statements in the case sparked anger and skepticism on social media.
The body of Demartravion "Trey" Reed, 21, was found hanging from a tree in the middle of Delta State University's campus behind pickleball courts at around 7:05 a.m. local time on Sept. 15, according to university police. While police said there was no evidence of foul play and ruled the death a suicide, classes and events scheduled for the school's centennial celebrations were canceled for the day.
The investigation into Reed's death remains ongoing, and university police have requested assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation as well as the local police department and sheriff's office, according to Delta State Police Chief Michael Peeler.
Following the incident, rumors circulated online questioning the circumstances surrounding Reed's death, which were disputed by Bolivar County Coroner Randolph Seals Jr. During a news conference on Sept. 16, attorney Vanessa J. Jones said her firm is representing Reed's family and is initiating its own investigation into his death, beginning with an independent autopsy.
