On September 15, 2025, the quiet campus of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, was rocked by tragedy. In the early morning hours, Demartravion "Trey" Reed, a 21-year-old Black student from Grenada, was found dead, hanging from a tree near the pickleball courts and Court of Governors dormitories. Just hours later, and about two hours away in Vicksburg, another man, Cory Zukatis, 36, was discovered in similar circumstances near the Ameristar Casino. The two deaths, occurring so close in time and place, have drawn national scrutiny, ignited debate about Mississippi’s painful history, and left two communities searching for answers.
According to The Clarion Ledger and UPI, Delta State University Police Chief Michael L. Peeler held a news conference the same day Reed’s body was found. He stated unequivocally that the initial investigation, supported by the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cleveland Police Department, showed no evidence of foul play. The state medical examiner’s autopsy, completed on September 17 and announced the following day, confirmed the cause of death as hanging and ruled it a suicide. "Findings were consistent with the initial investigation, determining the cause of death to be hanging and the manner of death as suicide. Final toxicology results are pending and may take two to four weeks to complete," the medical examiner’s office said.
Yet, for Reed’s family and a growing chorus of civil rights advocates, the official findings have not brought closure. In a statement released through their attorney Vanessa J. Jones, Reed’s family described him as "joyful" and "loving." They have voiced doubts about the circumstances of his death and are pursuing a second, independent autopsy and a private investigation. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, retained by Reed’s family on September 16, emphasized the need for transparency: "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." Crump also noted, "Trey’s death evoked the collective memory of a community that has suffered a historic wound over many, many years and many, many deaths. Peace will come only by getting to the truth. We thank Colin Kaepernick for supporting this grieving family and the cause of justice and truth."
The Colin Kaepernick Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative announced on September 19 that it would fund the independent autopsy, pending the release of Reed’s body by state authorities. This move has been welcomed by the family, who have pointed to "conflicting accounts and incomplete information about the circumstances of his death" as a source of ongoing distress.
Social media, meanwhile, has become a battleground of rumor and speculation. Posts claiming that Reed suffered broken legs, arms, or other injuries inconsistent with suicide spread rapidly. The Bolivar County Coroner’s Office moved quickly to quash these rumors, stating on September 15, "At this current time, we are conducting a thorough death investigation. 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."
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, in a statement to Mississippi Today, condemned the spread of misinformation. "My condolences go out to the family of Trey Reed and all who knew and loved him. I also applaud the quick work of the Cleveland Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and Delta State University to bring closure to his family, and I condemn the rumors circulating regarding his death," he said. Tindell added, "It’s frustrating. Suicide is such a tragic situation. I don't know anybody that hasn't been impacted by it. We need to do more to raise awareness and for those who need help to get help."
The FBI has also weighed in. On September 17, FBI Public Affairs Officer Marshay Lawson confirmed to The Clarion Ledger that the agency is "aware of the incident in Cleveland" and is in "regular contact with local authorities" on the case. "If, during the course of the local investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate," Lawson said. U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, has called for a full federal investigation, stating, "I am calling for a full federal investigation into his 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."
Delta State University, which has a student body of over 2,600—about 42% of whom are Black—canceled classes on September 15 and postponed several centennial events. The university community gathered for a vigil on September 18, and another was scheduled for Reed’s hometown of Grenada on September 20. University President Dan Ennis acknowledged the emotional toll of Reed’s death, saying, "The loss of Trey Reed has been and continues to be devastating for the Delta State community." He noted that the campus had received harassing calls and messages in the wake of the tragedy, prompting increased security and support for student workers who had borne the brunt of angry callers.
Students have responded with grief and caution. Jy’Quon Wallace, president of the African American Student Council, told USA Today he had seen Reed in a heated phone conversation the night before his death. "You wonder, who could it be?" Wallace recalled upon hearing the news. Student Paris Ricks expressed a mix of sadness and vigilance: "It's sad. I'm still concerned, but I do feel safe," she told Mississippi Today, adding that she now takes extra precautions when walking home at night.
As for Cory Zukatis, the 36-year-old white homeless man found hanging in Vicksburg, police have stated that they do not believe his death is related to Reed’s. The investigation into Zukatis’s death is ongoing, with autopsy results still pending as of September 19. Authorities have also had to contend with misinformation about Zukatis, including the circulation of incorrect photos on social media.
In the aftermath of these tragedies, Delta State University has made mental health resources and counseling services available to students. Peer support is offered at the H.L. Nowell Student Union, and prayer and meditation are available at Lena Sillers Chapel. The university has encouraged students to reach out for counseling or support, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available around the clock for anyone in need.
Mississippi’s history—especially its association with the lynching of Emmett Till—looms large over these deaths. The demand for truth, transparency, and justice is palpable, not just among Reed’s family and friends, but across the state and nation. As investigations continue, the communities touched by these losses are left to grapple with grief, suspicion, and the hope that, this time, all the facts will come to light.
