The family of a 21-year-old Black student found dead at Delta State University in Mississippi is demanding answers after police allegedly gave them conflicting information about where his body was discovered. Demartravion “Trey” Reed was found hanging from a tree on campus on Monday morning, but his family says they were initially told something completely different.
Attorney Vanessa Jones, who represents the Reed family, held a press conference Tuesday to address what she called serious inconsistencies in the official account of Reed’s death. The family has retained civil rights lawyer Ben Crump to lead an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
According to Jones, the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department went to Reed’s family home Monday morning and told them he died in his dorm in bed. However, the family later learned through media reports that Reed was actually found hanging from a tree in the center of campus near the pickleball courts, as per TMZ. The sheriff’s department has denied the family’s claim, saying no one specified where Reed’s body had been found during the initial notification.
Family seeks independent autopsy after conflicting accounts emerge
Delta State University Police Chief Michael Peeler announced Monday that Reed’s body was discovered at approximately 7:05 a.m. by university staff. Officials said there was no evidence of foul play and that the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office found no signs of assault, including no broken bones, cuts, or bruises on Reed’s body.
“Trey was our little quiet light. He was sweet, well-mannered, and would give you the world if he could. We ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers as we walk through these unforeseen times.” — Trey’s family
— Black Lives Matter (BLM) (@Blklivesmatter) September 16, 2025
On Monday, 21-year-old Delta State University student,… pic.twitter.com/xL1eEdSPrP
Despite these official statements, Reed’s family remains unconvinced about the circumstances of his death. “The family does not know exactly what happened on September the 15th of 2025,” Jones said during the press conference. She added that the family is still waiting for updates from authorities and has been getting information primarily through media reports rather than official channels.
The family is also demanding access to any surveillance footage from the university campus. “Were there cameras? There should have been cameras at the university that could easily enlighten us to what happened in the early morning of September 15, 2025,” Jones stated. Police have confirmed that video footage exists but have not disclosed what it shows.
The case has drawn national attention, with civil rights organizations and lawmakers calling for a thorough investigation. The NAACP expressed skepticism about the preliminary findings, noting in a statement that “our people have not historically hung ourselves from trees.” U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson has requested that the FBI investigate Reed’s death, citing Mississippi’s history of racial violence. Reed’s death occurred just hours before another man was found hanging more than 150 miles away, though authorities say the two incidents are unrelated.
