Mississippi Authorities Probe Black Student’s Mysterious Death

The Black Student’s Mysterious Death, found hanged at a Mississippi university has ignited urgent calls for a transparent investigation. Demartravion “Trey” Reed, 21, was discovered on the campus of Delta State University, prompting a state-level probe. While police cite no initial evidence of foul play, Reed’s family and community leaders are demanding answers, evoking the state’s painful history of racial violence as they await a crucial autopsy report.

A Tragic Discovery and a Community in Mourning

University staff discovered Reed’s body on the morning of Monday, September 15, 2025, near the campus pickleball courts in Cleveland, Mississippi. Delta State University officials immediately canceled classes and centennial celebration events. At a press conference, campus police chief Michael Peeler called it an “isolated incident” and insisted there was no ongoing threat to students, though he released few other details, citing the active investigation.

The university’s initial assessment of no foul play was quickly met with skepticism. Reed’s family has retained prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is demanding an independent autopsy and investigation. “Trey was a young man full of promise and warmth,” Crump said in a statement. “We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain.”

Echoes of a Painful Past

The circumstances of Reed’s death have struck a raw nerve in Mississippi, a state with the highest number of lynchings in the U.S. between 1882 and 1968. According to historical data compiled by the NAACP, 581 lynchings were recorded in Mississippi during this period. The discovery is particularly haunting as the Delta State campus is located just 30 miles from where Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy, was brutally lynched in 1955 a murder that became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

This historical context is fueling demands for federal involvement. U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi has formally called for the FBI to take over the investigation. “We must leave no stone unturned in the search for answers,” Thompson stated. “We cannot ignore Mississippi’s painful history of lynching and racial violence against African Americans.”

In a powerful statement, the NAACP expressed its profound distrust of the initial findings: “While initial reports offered no evidence of ‘foul play’, you’d have to excuse our skepticism… Our people have not historically hung ourselves from trees.”

An Ongoing Investigation Amidst Public Pressure

While authorities await the full results of the state’s autopsy, the Bolivar County Coroner’s office stated that a preliminary examination showed no signs of physical assault, such as broken bones or lacerations, disputing rumors that had spread on social media. University President Dan Ennis has acknowledged the community’s pain and fear, stating, “We recognize this is not only about facts. It’s about emotions and about feelings.”

he investigation comes at a time when hate crimes on college campuses remain a serious concern. According to data from the U.S. Department of Justice, race and ethnicity are the most common motivators for hate crimes on campuses nationwide. This case will undoubtedly be watched closely by civil rights organizations and the public as a test of transparency and justice in a region still grappling with its history.

Key Takeaways:

• The Victim: Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old Black student at Delta State University.
• The Incident: Reed was found hanged from a tree on the university’s campus on September 15, 2025.
• Initial Findings: Campus police stated they found no initial evidence of foul play.
• Family’s Response: The family has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump and is demanding an independent investigation and autopsy.
• Federal Involvement: U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson and the NAACP have called for an FBI investigation, citing Mississippi’s history of racial violence.
• Investigation Status: The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting, and all parties are awaiting the results of a full autopsy.