Demartravion 'Trey' Reed, 21, of Grenada, Mississippi, was found hanging from a tree on the Delta State University campus in Cleveland in the early hours of Monday, prompting questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. Reed's family says authorities told them he died in his dorm bed, a detail they say conflicted with what they later learned about his body being found on campus. They have hired lawyers and say they are seeking an independent autopsy to determine the exact cause and timeline of his death.
Campus and local authorities have said the investigation is active and ongoing. Reed was discovered just after 7 a.m. near the pickleball courts by a faculty member as students arrived for classes, which were canceled after the body was found. Delta State University Police Chief Mike Peeler said video footage of the incident exists and is in the hands of the investigative team, with the Cleveland Police Department leading the probe. The Bolivar County Coroner's Office said Reed was unresponsive at the scene; the coroner, Randolph Seals Jr., said preliminary findings found no signs of lacerations or other injuries consistent with an assault.
Family members and their attorney have criticized how information has been released to the public and to the family. Vanessa Jones of Jones Law Firm said the Reed family was told Reed had died in his dorm room, and she said the information from authorities has been limited. She and other representatives have called for the release of campus surveillance footage to show Reed's movements from his dorm to the location where he was found, arguing that cameras on a campus with modern technology should yield clear answers.
Political and civil rights figures have weighed in. Massachusetts Representative Ayanna Pressley wrote on social media that Reed deserved to live and grow old and that the campus death occurred at Delta State University, a predominantly white institution in Mississippi. Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi called for a federal investigation into Reed's death, saying that while details are still emerging, Mississippi's painful history of racial violence cannot be ignored and that the family deserves answers. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said he would join Reed's family to pursue transparency and an independent investigation.
Officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete. Authorities initially ruled out foul play, and rumors circulating online about possible injuries have been disputed by officials. Reed's uncle, Pastor Jerry Reed, described him as a joyful, future-oriented young man, and Reed's sister Keaa Reed shared emotional memories of their brother on social media. Reed's girlfriend, Sarah Trotter, expressed grief on her social channels. A campus vigil honored Reed as students and faculty processed the loss.
Delta State University President Dr. Dan Ennis issued a statement expressing sorrow and noting that the university is cooperating with law enforcement and supporting Reed's family and the campus community. The university also acknowledged the coroner's office statement and said counseling and other resources would remain available as the community grieves. As the investigation continues, Reed's family has urged that the full chain of events be clarified and that independent review be conducted to restore trust in the process.
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