Nationwide — The household of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, the African American pupil at Delta State College who was discovered hanging from a tree on campus, is demanding solutions after the incident. They’ve employed nationwide civil rights legal professional Ben Crump to research his demise.
College students had been again at Delta State for lower than a month when Reed, 21, was found hanging from a tree on September 15. His demise instantly sparked questions on campus and on-line, with many elevating issues a few doable lynching regardless of officers saying no foul play was discovered.
The case has drawn consideration throughout Mississippi, the place households of different Black males discovered hanging in recent times have additionally challenged suicide rulings. Many level to the state’s lengthy historical past of racial violence, together with the 1955 lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Until, as a motive for skepticism.
In response to NBC Information, Bolivar County Coroner Randolph Seals Jr. stated his workplace is conducting a “thorough” investigation. A preliminary overview confirmed no proof of bodily assault, however remaining conclusions will rely upon an post-mortem by the Mississippi State Crime Lab.
Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump introduced he was representing Reed’s household, calling for a full, unbiased investigation. “Trey was a younger man filled with promise and heat, deeply beloved and revered by all who knew him. We can’t settle for imprecise conclusions when so many questions stay,” Crump stated in an announcement.
Legal professional Vanessa Jones additionally confirmed she is working with the household. She pledged to launch her personal unbiased inquiry and pressed officers to launch extra particulars. “The household doesn’t know precisely what occurred on Sept. 15, 2025. We’re looking for solutions,” she stated.
College students and group members proceed to share their issues. One customer on campus, Meara Brown, stated the sight of a Black man discovered hanging carried painful historic weight. “Simply given the historic significance of timber, Black males and ropes — there’s simply one thing about it to me that isn’t proper,” she stated.
