On Monday, September 15, 2025, the campus of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, was rocked by the discovery of 21-year-old student Demartravion "Trey" Reed found hanging from a tree near the pickleball courts. The incident, which occurred around 7 a.m. and was discovered by a faculty member, has since drawn national attention, sparking intense emotions and debate over its circumstances, with echoes of Mississippi’s troubled racial past reverberating through the community.
According to the Cleveland Police Department, Reed’s death has been officially ruled a suicide, with the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s autopsy concluding the cause of death as hanging and the manner as suicide. However, final toxicology results are still pending and may take an additional two to four weeks to complete, as reported by ABC News and The Clarion Ledger. The investigation remains active, with all materials turned over to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for further review, underscoring the seriousness and complexity of the case.
Delta State University responded swiftly, canceling classes on the day of the discovery and increasing law enforcement presence on campus after receiving threats in the wake of Reed’s death. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with Reed's family and friends during this very difficult time," said Cleveland Police Chief Travis Tribble, echoing the collective grief and concern felt by the university community.
Delta State President Dan Ennis addressed the campus at a news conference on September 17, acknowledging the profound emotional impact of the incident, particularly given the state’s history with racial violence. "I want to begin by acknowledging that the manner how Trey was discovered has stirred many emotions in this community and many emotions around the state and the nation," Ennis said. He pointed to the proximity of the campus to the Tallahatchie River, where the body of Emmett Till—a 14-year-old Black child brutally murdered in 1955—was found, highlighting how the discovery of Reed’s body has resurfaced painful memories and anxieties.
Ennis also noted the university’s increased security measures in response to threats, stating, "We have been very grateful that we have had increased law enforcement presence on this campus, and, unfortunately, that's because this campus has received threats. My message to that regard would be, we have students here. They came here to get an education, and folks who threaten the institution are hurting students, and we don't want that. We are supposed to be a place where students come to feel safe and to learn. That's our mission, and that's what we'll continue to do."
In the days following the tragedy, social media became awash with rumors and misinformation, including false claims that Reed’s limbs were broken or that he bore defensive wounds inconsistent with suicide. The Bolivar County Coroner’s Office moved quickly to dispel these inaccuracies, stating, "Based on the preliminary examination, we can confirm that the deceased did not suffer any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death." This statement was reiterated by both ABC News and The Clarion Ledger in their coverage.
Delta State Police Chief Michael Peeler confirmed the existence of video footage related to Reed’s death but declined to discuss its contents, citing the ongoing investigation. "There are videos and they're in the hands of the investigation team," Peeler said. The footage has become a focal point for Reed’s family and their attorney, Benjamin Crump, a nationally recognized civil rights lawyer, who has called for its immediate release to the family. Crump, retained by Reed’s family on September 16, announced plans to commission an independent autopsy and lead a thorough investigation. "We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain," Crump stated. "I stand with this family, and I will lead a team of civil rights leaders and organizations in pursuing transparency and answers for Trey’s family."
Crump’s demand for transparency found support among civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, which issued a statement expressing skepticism about the preliminary findings. "While initial reports offered no evidence of 'foul play,' you’d have to excuse our skepticism amidst growing racially motivated violence targeted at our communities across this nation," the NAACP wrote. "So while we await more formal autopsy reports and information, we offer this piece of history with a level of certainty: Our people have not historically hung ourselves from trees…"
Adding to the complexity of the situation, another man, 35-year-old Cory Zukatis, was also found hanging from a tree on the same day, about 100 miles south in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Zukatis, a white man described as homeless and with a long history of drug use, was discovered in a wooded area near a casino. Authorities have stated that there is currently no evidence linking the two deaths, and Zukatis’ autopsy remains pending. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation clarified that it is not involved in the Zukatis case, while the investigation into Reed’s death continues with the assistance of multiple agencies.
The national spotlight intensified as U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson called for a full federal investigation into Reed’s death. "The FBI has the tools and experience necessary to conduct a thorough and unbiased inquiry, and time is of the essence. 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," Thompson said in a statement on September 16. The FBI, for its part, confirmed its awareness of the incident and ongoing contact with local authorities, stating, "If, during the course of the local investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate."
Within the Delta State community, the emotional toll has been palpable. President Ennis reported that students and staff have been seeking counseling and support, with peer support available at the H.L. Nowell Student Union and prayer and meditation offered at Lena Sillers Chapel. Professors and staff have been urged to be sensitive to students’ needs, as many struggle to process the tragedy and its implications.
Reed’s family, described as devastated yet determined, continues to push for answers. Through their attorney Vanessa J. Jones, they have stated their intent to conduct an independent investigation, beginning with an additional autopsy. "We will seek answers independently from Delta State University and from the coroner's office and, if need be, independent from the state coroner's office because we need answers as to what happened to Trey Reed," Jones said. The family’s resolve is echoed by Crump, who insisted, "Trey's family deserves answers they can trust. We cannot accept rushed conclusions when the stakes are this high."
As the investigations continue and the campus community grapples with grief, the events in Cleveland, Mississippi, have reignited conversations about race, justice, and the lingering shadows of the past. For many, the search for truth and healing remains ongoing, with the hope that transparency and accountability will ultimately prevail.
