Family Retains Ben Crump for Civil Rights Probe in Death of Trey Reed

The family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old Delta State University student, has retained nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump to lead an independent investigation into his death after Reed was found hanging from a tree on campus earlier this week. Crump will work with a number of civil rights organizations to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation. 

Authorities said Reed’s body was discovered by a faculty member Monday morning near the university’s pickleball courts by a faculty member around 7 am. The Bolivar County Coroner reported that a preliminary examination revealed no signs of foul play. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and local police are also reviewing the case, though an official cause of death has not yet been determined.

Attorney Crump issued the following statement:

“Trey Reed was a young man full of promise and warmth, deeply loved and respected by all who knew him. His family and the campus community deserve a full, independent investigation to uncover the truth about what happened. We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain. I stand with this family, and I will lead a team of civil rights leaders and organizations in pursuing transparency and answers for Trey’s family.”

Family Attorney Vanessa Jones also spoke during a press conference on Tuesday, saying that the family is still seeking answers from school officials.

“As we move forward, we are just looking for answers that a simple camera on a university campus will provide. There are a lot of unanswered questions here, and the family just wants some answers from top officials, the university and the coroner’s office. Justice looks like transparency, and a simple phone call from the university president, some personalization that this young man, that we entrusted to Delta State University, that you care,” she said.

The university canceled classes following Reed’s death, providing counseling services to students and staff.

The Bolivar County Coroner’s Office released a statement late Monday, Sept. 15, regarding the death of Reed, confirming that officials believe the 21-year-old student died by suicide on Delta State University’s Cleveland campus earlier that day.

“At 7:32 a.m., the Bolivar County Coroner’s office was notified by the Cleveland Police Department regarding an unresponsive individual on the campus of Delta State University. At 8:08 a.m., representatives from the coroner’s office arrived on the scene and observed an unresponsive subject hanging from a tree,” the statement reads. “At this current time, we are conducting a thorough death investigation. Based on the preliminary examination, we can confirm that the deceased did not suffer any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death.”

Delta State President Dan Ennis acknowledged the coroner’s statement:

“Delta State University is aware of the statement released overnight by the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office. We continue to cooperate with law enforcement in their investigation. Our focus remains on supporting Trey’s family, friends, and the Delta State community as we continue to grieve this loss together.”

Reed’s death has sparked widespread dialogue on social media, where students, community members, and civil rights advocates are questioning the circumstances surrounding his death and calling for transparency in the investigation.

U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi also addressed the death of Reed.

“It is always a tragedy when a young life is cut short,” Thompson stated on Tuesday. “We must leave no stone unturned in the search for answers. While the details of this case are still emerging, we cannot ignore Mississippi’s painful history of lynching and racial violence against African Americans. My deepest condolences and prayers are with Trey’s family during this difficult time.”

Angela Dennis is a race and culture reporter based in Tennessee and editor for Black With No Chaser. She has received numerous awards for her work by the Tennessee Press Association. Her previous work can be seen in the USA Today Network/Knoxville News Sentinel, Capital B News, and various other locak, regional and national media outlets.