September 24, 2025

Shock hits Delta State University as 21-year-old student Demartravion "Trey" Reed was found hanging from a tree on campus on September 15. The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s official autopsy declared his death a suicide, a conclusion backed by the Cleveland Police Department. Yet, guess what? The story is far from over! Social media exploded with rumours that Trey’s hands and legs were broken, pushing many to question the suicide ruling. But officials firmly stated there was no foul play, saying the findings were "consistent with the initial investigation." The family, however, isn’t sitting quiet. They challenge the official autopsy and say they learned about Trey’s death from media reports, not the university. Grandfather JB Reed told reporters, "university authorities did not even say it was a possible suicide." Adding more fire to the mix, the tragedy echoes Mississippi’s painful past of racial violence. The university is about 30 miles from where Emmett Till, a young black boy, was lynched in 1955. This backdrop makes the community’s call for transparency and truth even louder. Enter civil rights hero Colin Kaepernick! Through his "Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative," Kaepernick will pay for a second, independent autopsy of Trey Reed. Attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, said, "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." The family also demands release of security footage from campus as investigations continue. Delta State’s Director of Public Safety confirmed they are reviewing video signals. Meanwhile, the final toxicology reports are still pending and could take two to four weeks. All case materials have been handed to the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office for examination. This heart-wrenching case demands answers and trust, as Ben Crump said, "We cannot accept rushed conclusions when the stakes are this high." The search for truth is on, and the nation watches with bated breath.

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Tags: Trey reed, Suicide ruling, Delta state university, Colin kaepernick, Independent autopsy, Racial violence,