Black people do not hang themselves from trees. Full stop. Yet, we are being told that is exactly what happened to 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed.
The community of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, is reeling after the shocking discovery of a Black student, identified as “Trey” Reed, who was found hanging from a tree on campus earlier last week.
The tragedy, which occurred early Monday morning on September 15, has not only shaken the university but has also ignited a firestorm of speculation and demands for a thorough, transparent investigation.
According to university officials and the Delta State University Police Department, Reed’s body was discovered around 7:05 a.m. near the campus’s pickleball courts.
Social media users called for justice for Trey Reed, claiming that he had bruises, broken arms and a broken leg.
“A Black man would NEVER commit suicide this way, and his arms and legs were broken, but police are ruling out foul play,” one wrote.
“Black people don’t lynch themselves. Rest in peace, Trey Reed,” another user wrote on X.
Lynching death ruled a suicide as the NAACP calls it into question
Authorities, including Delta State Police Chief Michael Peeler, were quick to state that there was no evidence of foul play. They claim that the death appeared to be a suicide.
The Bolivar County Coroner’s office echoed this sentiment. They released a statement that a preliminary examination found no signs of assault, such as broken bones or lacerations.
However, these official statements have done little to quell the skepticism and grief among many. The family has hired legal counsel, which includes national civil rights attorney Ben Crump, to further independently investigate the cause of his death.
“We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain,” Crump said.
The NAACP described Reed’s death as a lynching while citing the current political climate as a potential motive. “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,” the civil rights organization said in a statement on Instagram.
“So, while we await more formal autopsy reports and information, we offer this piece of history with a level of certainty: Our people have not historically hung ourselves from trees,” the NAACP added.
Online, social media platforms have been flooded with an outpouring of calls for “Justice for Trey Reed.” Rumors and conspiracy theories have circulated. Some social media users claim that Reed had indeed sustained injuries. They point specifically to broken arms and a broken leg, which would be inconsistent with suicide.
Family seeks independent investigation
“We will seek answers independently from Delta State University and from the coroner’s office and, if need be, independent from the state coroner’s office because we need answers as to what happened to Trey Reed,” family attorney Vanessa J. Jones said in a statement, as reported by USA Today.
“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,” she added.
While the Bolivar County Coroner’s office has explicitly denied these claims, the narrative of a potential lynching has taken hold.
The family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, through their attorney, has also expressed deep mistrust in the official narrative and the handling of the case.
They have called for a full and independent investigation, including an autopsy, funded by former NFL player and social justice advocate Colin Kaepernick.
The family’s lawyer pointed to communication failures. Media outlets were reporting on the death before the family was officially notified. They also noted that initial, incorrect information was provided to them regarding the details of his death.
Delta State University president says they are cooperating with law enforcement
In response to the tragedy and the ensuing outcry, classes and centennial celebration events at Delta State University were canceled. University President Dr. Dan Ennis has offered condolences to Reed’s family. He has also assured the community that counseling services are available for students and staff.
Dr. Ennis has also stated that the university is cooperating fully with law enforcement, which includes the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, said he spoke to Reed’s family and said he is calling for a full federal investigation into his death.
“We must leave no stone unturned,” Thompson said in a statement. “Mississippi’s history of racial violence against African Americans cannot be ignored, and our community deserves both truth and accountability.”
While authorities maintain their stance on the nature of his death, the deep-seated fears and historical wounds felt by many demand that every possible avenue be explored to ensure the unadulterated truth is brought to light.
What is not being said, but was said by the chief of police was that he is in close contact with Trey’s family & they have seen the video footage of Trey. He clearly states he is only talking about family listed as emergency contacts or next of kin. Trey did not put immediate family on the list. Houston, we have a problem. The mother was not on the list, so she didn’t see the video. She is grieving & hearing about online rumors of broken bones & no telling what else is floating around on social media.
What else is not being said is Cleveland, Ms is predominantly black at 52.5% (40.5% white), the county is 65% black, 33% white. Delta University is 40% black 48% white. (Difference of 130-141 people).There were no racial tensions either college president said. The chief of police is black (ruled no foul play). So is the coroner (ruled suicide. No foul play), as well as, the sheriff, DA, most of the judges, county supervisors, cops & deputies. These Mississippians are not incompetent nor in on any cover up (another social media rumor).
Suicide went up tenfold or more for black males age 15-24 in the past 20 yrs. It is the 2nd lead cause of death for that age group. Guns are the means used most of the time, but in second place is suffocation in which hanging would fall under.
Mississippi is ranked last in mental health. In a state with less than 3 million people (2,943,045) total & 1.09 million of that is black folks, there are not a lot of mental facilities nor help. Suicide is not really talked about in black communities I have read over & over. That is a real problem for folks needing to talk to someone bc they are suicidal. There’s not much support or help for many. So they suffer in silence.That has got to change.