By Erie365NewsWriter 
The family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed is calling for an independent autopsy and full investigation following the 21-year-old’s death at Delta State University. Trey, a new student at the Mississippi college, was found hanging from a tree in the center of campus on the morning of September 15, 2025.
His body was discovered at 7:05 a.m. by university staff, but what followed has only deepened the family’s pain and confusion. During a press conference at Living Faith Miracle Temple Church in Grenada, family attorney Vanessa J. Jones told reporters that the family received little to no information directly from officials.
Conflicting Accounts and Delayed Notification
Adding to their distress, the family was initially informed that Trey had died in his dorm bed. It was only later that they learned the truth — that his body had been found in a public area of campus. Jones criticized both Delta State University and Bolivar County officials for their lack of direct communication.
The family is now calling for the release of campus surveillance footage to piece together Trey’s final moments. They say the campus is equipped with modern security systems that could help answer critical questions.
No Signs of Physical Trauma, But Many Unanswered Questions
Officials from the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office have stated that Trey’s body showed no signs of assault or broken bones. Early speculation online included false rumors about injuries that would make suicide impossible.
Coroner Rudolph Seals clarified that the examination found no lacerations, contusions, fractures, or any physical signs of attack. Still, the family is not satisfied and believes only a full, independent autopsy and investigation can bring the truth to light.
Community and Legal Leaders Speak Out
Trey’s uncle, Pastor Jerry Reed, remembered his nephew as a joyful and motivated young man. Trey had recently enrolled at Delta State with plans for the future, including a career in trucking like his uncle.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has joined the family’s efforts, pledging to lead a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. “We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain,” Crump stated.
U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson has also called for a federal investigation. Acknowledging Mississippi’s troubling history of racial violence, Thompson emphasized the importance of transparency in a case that has raised alarms throughout the state and beyond.
A Call for Transparency and Justice
As grief spreads through the Reed family and their community, calls for justice grow louder. The family is not making accusations, but they insist on accountability. Whether Trey’s death was a tragic suicide or something else entirely, they believe the truth must be known — not just for themselves, but for a community in mourning.