The death of Delta State student Demartravion Reed, ruled a suicide, has prompted calls for transparency and a deeper investigation.
The body of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21‑year‑old Black student at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, was found hanging from a tree on campus morning of September 15, 2025. Local authorities and the state medical examiner have concluded that Reed’s death was a suicide, and that no physical evidence points to foul play.
Initial reports, aided by the Bolivar County coroner’s preliminary examination, found no lacerations, contusions, broken bones, or other injuries typical of assault. The findings of the state medical examiner’s autopsy aligned with those earlier assessments, confirming hanging as the cause and suicide as the manner of death. Toxicology results are still pending and expected in the coming weeks.
Following Reed’s death, the university canceled classes and delayed centennial celebration events out of respect and concern. The tragedy ignited strong emotional responses across the campus and broader community, in part because Mississippi has a fraught history of racially motivated lynchings and discriminatory violence. Reed’s death location, near the pickleball courts and dorms, brought further scrutiny.
Reed’s family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump and is calling for a full independent investigation, including access to surveillance footage and transparency in official reports. U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson has also urged federal authorities, including the FBI, to review the case.
Many in the student body and academic community expressed fear, confusion, and grief, particularly given circulating rumors of injuries inconsistent with suicide. These rumors were addressed by medical and coroner’s officials, who found no evidence of physical assault. The emotional impact of Reed’s death has prompted calls for more robust mental health support on campus, clearer communication from university leadership, and systemic changes to ensure student safety and prevent similar controversies.
While authorities maintain the investigation remains active, all evidence collected thus far has been provided to federal entities for review.
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