Officials at Delta State University say student Demartravion “Trey” Reed’s death is a tragic suicide.
Campus police found Reed’s body hanging from a tree at 7:05 a.m. on the university grounds in Cleveland, Mississippi, on Monday, Sept. 15.
The 21-year-old student’s death raised concerns and suspicions about foul play because he is Black in the Deep South.
However, authorities currently investigating Reed’s death say there doesn’t appear to be foul play involved.
Police obtained surveillance video of Reed’s movements on Monday morning.
Authorities disputed misinformation on social media that Reed was the victim of a lynching. The rumors say he was found with broken arms and legs.
However, Bolivar County Deputy Coroner Murray Roark told the Mississippi Free Press that he found “no broken limbs” during Reed’s autopsy.
He said Reed’s death was “self-done, and I have reasons for that.”
Reed is the second man to be found hanging from a tree in Mississippi on Monday.
About 10:30 a.m., Vicksburg police found the body of a white male hanging from a tree in a wooded area.
The man was later identified as Corey Zukatis, 36, who is homeless.
Zukatis’ death was confirmed by Warren County Coroner Doug L. Huskey, who said there is no indication of foul play.
One person wrote on X: “Where is the fury over this? Where are the moments of silence? Where are the Instagram stories, thinkpieces, and flags at half-mast? These boys were lynched in 2025.”
Another X user wrote: “Two young people lynched in Mississippi. Two children. They had aspirations and a family. Police are already trying to convince us this is a suicide.”
