Demartravion "Trey" Reed was found dead on September 15, 2025, on the campus of Delta State University. The Cleveland Police Department announced the autopsy results, determining the cause of death as hanging and the manner of death as suicide. However, discrepancies in initial reports and concerns raised by the family have fueled calls for an independent investigation.
Attorney Vanessa Jones, representing Reed's family, stated that they were misinformed by the Bolivar County Sheriff's Department regarding the circumstances of Reed's death. Reed's grandfather, J.B. Reed, said he was told Trey was found in his room, and the official immediately stated it was a suicide.
Ben Crump, a well-known civil rights attorney, has been retained by the family to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. He is demanding that the family be allowed to view any video related to the case and is commissioning an independent autopsy to verify the findings of the state medical examiner. Congressman Bennie Thompson has requested the Department of Justice and the FBI to step in and assist in the investigation.
The NAACP has also expressed skepticism, stating, "Our people have not historically hung ourselves from trees," alluding to the history of racial violence and lynching in the United States.
Delta State University President Daniel J. Ennis released a statement expressing condolences and support for Reed's family, but the family claims they have not received any direct communication from the university president.
*Why This Matters:* The Trey Reed case highlights the importance of thorough and transparent investigations in cases involving the death of young Black individuals, especially when found under suspicious circumstances. The family's pursuit of answers and the involvement of civil rights advocates underscores the need for accountability and justice.