Police investigating death of Black student found hanged at a Mississippi university - National & International News - WED 17Sep2025 -

Family, campus community seek answers after Black student found hanged on tree at Delta State University campus in Cleveland, MS.

Family seeks answers after Black student found hanged at Delta State University campus

On Monday, 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed of Grenada, MS, was found deceased on the campus of Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. Reed’s body was found hanging from a tree near the campus pickleball court. He is believed to have died some time on Sunday. A preliminary report from the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office “indicates no evidence of foul play,” but police are investigating. Authorities said they have some video evidence, but did not elaborate.

Police are awaiting Reed’s full autopsy report, which they expect in the next 24 to 48 hours. Bolivar County Coroner Randolph Seals, Jr., has disputed reports on social media that Reed had suffered broken limbs. Seals wrote in a statement that Reed “did not suffer any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault”.

Reed’s family have retained attorney Vanessa Jones of Hattiesburg and famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Jones said Trey started attending DSU this fall. She said that he was “full of life, eager to be there” and his family had no concerns as to his mental state. Crump says he will lead an independent investigation into Trey’s death.

On the same day Trey Reed was found, a white man named Cory Zukatis was found hanged in Vicksburg. Police are also investigating his death, and it is not believed to be connected to Reed’s.

Troubling times past and present

Rep. Bennie Thompson called for an FBI probe, stating that, “We must leave no stone unturned. Mississippi’s history of racial violence against African Americans cannot be ignored, and our community deserves both truth and accountability”. The Jackson FBI office says they are prepared to investigate if “information comes to light of a potential federal violation”. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation says they are already assisting.

Not only has this tragedy shaken the community and evoked memories of historical lynchings in Mississippi, it comes at a sensitive political moment for the nation as a whole. One day after last week’s assassination of far-right commentator Charlie Kirk, several historically Black colleges and universities across the South went on lockdown after receiving threats. None of Mississippi’s HBCUs reported any threats last week. While DSU’s student body is 42% Black, it is not an HBCU.

Campus police Chief Michael Peeler said this was an “isolated incident” and that there are no current threats on campus. However, Delta State President Dan Ennis says the university has received threats this week following Reed’s death and that he is grateful for the increased police presence on campus. He appealed for calm and patience as the investigation moves forward.

Ennis, who is white, acknowledged that “this is not only about facts, it’s about emotions, and it’s about feelings and the way this loss and how it was discovered affects people’s lives. And I’ll further say that I admit that I am not adequate to speak to the imagery that this incident raises. I acknowledge my weakness in that regard”.