Black student Demartravion “Trey” Reed found hanging from tree on Delta State University Campus

 A Campus in Shock as Authorities Investigate Tragic Death

This morning (September 15), the Delta State University community in Cleveland, Mississippi, was devastated by the discovery of 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reedhanging from a tree on campus. The body was found around 7:05 a.m. near the pickleball courts, a highly visible area in the center of campus.

Staff immediately called emergency services, and Reed was pronounced dead at the scene. His death occurred during Delta State’s centennial celebrations, prompting the university to cancel classes and events for the day. What should have been a week of joy and commemoration for the institution quickly turned into mourning and uncertainty.

Authorities—including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department, Cleveland Police, and Delta State University Police—launched a joint investigation. At this stage, officials stated that no evidence of foul play had been found. However, they stressed that the matter was under active review and an autopsy was pending.

University’s Response and Support for Students

Delta State University President Daniel Ennis issued a public statement acknowledging Reed’s death and offering condolences to his family. He emphasized the availability of counseling services for students, staff, and faculty.

“The loss of Trey Reed is devastating to all of us,” Ennis said. “We extend our deepest sympathy to his loved ones and are committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff during this difficult time.”

Classes were suspended, centennial celebrations were paused, and the normally busy campus fell silent. This was because students gathered for impromptu vigils and shared messages of support online.

A Painful Historical Echo in Mississippi

Investigators have not confirmed foul play. However, the nature of Reed’s death has ignited public skepticism and raised painful reminders of Mississippi’s violent racial history.

The Equal Justice Initiative has documented more than 650 lynchings of Black people in Mississippi between 1877 and 1950. That’s the highest total of any state during that period. For many, the image of a young Black man found hanging from a tree in 2025 cannot be separated from that historical context.

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