On Monday, September 15, as the new school year began on campus at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, the body of 21-year-old student Demartravion “Trey” Reed was found hanging from a tree near the campus pickleball courts.
After two separate autopsies were conducted, there was no physical indication that Reed was murdered, and there had been zero threats posed to the University prior to the incident. While the final toxicology reports could take an additional month, the Cleveland Police Department is adament that the death was a suicide. However, disputes online remain regarding whether or not Reed was beaten or how relatives were contacted. According to the New York Times, “Mr. Reed’s grandfather said he was initially told Mr. Reed was found dead in his room, an assertion the university police chief said he was not aware of.”
Like Skidmore, Delta State has approximately 2,700 students enrolled, with 40% identifying as Black. While no foul play was found, many are quick to question the validity of his death being ruled as a suicide, as the state of Mississippi has had a long history of violence against Black men. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, between 1877 and 1950, Mississippi reported 656 lynchings.
The following day, the NAACP released a statement regarding Reed’s death. “While initial reports offered no evidence of ‘foul play,’ you’d have to excuse our skepticism amidst growing racially motivated violence targeted at our communities across this nation.”
In a response, former NFL athlete Colin Kaepernick has agreed to cover the cost of an additional autopsy for Reed. Moreover, the civil rights attorney responsible for representing George Floyd’s family in 2020, Ben Crump, has also agreed to represent Reed’s.
In a press release from Crump’s office on behalf of Reed’s family, they assert that “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.”
On September 22, the Baptist Student Union set up a makeshift stage on the Delta State campus quadrangle to sing hymns and reflect on the month’s recent acts of violence, including the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Additionally, the Alpha Phi Alpha and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternities hosted a fundraiser for Reed’s family.
The initiatives of others locally and nationally have been a great source of pride for the college. According to the New York Times, Atley Thompson, a 21-year-old Delta State student, said, “In a way, we’ve united, tried to stay together.”
While the investigation is ongoing, Reed’s death is a testament to both the racial injustices that persist in America and the necessity of community.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, (previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.