Additional Coverage:
Delta State University Death Investigation Continues
Cleveland, MS – The investigation into the death of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old Black student found hanging from a tree near the Delta State University pickleball courts, is ongoing. University Police Chief Michael Peeler has asked for patience and compassion as authorities work to determine the cause of death.
Reed’s body was discovered Monday morning, prompting a swift response from university officials and law enforcement. Delta State President Dan Ennis acknowledged the sensitive nature of the incident, given the region’s history of racial violence.
An autopsy is being conducted at the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory, with preliminary results expected within days. Bolivar County Coroner Randolph “Rudy” Seals Jr. stated that a preliminary examination revealed no injuries consistent with an assault. Chief Peeler confirmed that investigators are reviewing video evidence.
Reed’s family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is calling for full transparency and demanding access to all video footage related to the investigation. Crump also announced the family’s intention to commission an independent autopsy.
President Ennis, while urging calm, acknowledged the emotional impact of Reed’s death on the campus community. He expressed his understanding of the concerns raised by the nature of the incident. The university has increased its law enforcement presence in response to reported threats following the spread of the news on social media.
The Cleveland Police Department is now leading the investigation, assisted by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Reed’s family described him as a fun-loving young man with a bright future, leaving them bewildered by his sudden death.
Congressman Bennie Thompson, who represents the area, has called for a federal investigation, citing Mississippi’s history of racial violence. Thompson’s request has been received by the federal administration, but a response is pending.
This case echoes the 2015 investigation into the death of Otis Byrd, another Black man found hanging from a tree in Mississippi. That case was ultimately closed by the Justice Department, which found no evidence of homicide.
While the investigation continues, Chief Peeler has assured students that the campus is safe and that this appears to be an isolated incident. A separate, unrelated hanging death occurred Monday in Vicksburg, Mississippi, over 100 miles away.