Black student's body found hanging from tree in Mississippi

18/9/2025 11:18

A Black college student was found dead hanging from a tree on a university campus in Mississippi this week, prompting calls from civil rights advocates for a thorough investigation, as authorities say there was no evidence of foul play.



Demartravion "Trey" Reed, 21, was found dead early on Monday near the pickleball courts on Delta State University's campus in Cleveland, Mississippi, according to campus police.



Campus police chief Michael Peeler called the death an "isolated incident" and said there was no active threat to students or faculty.



The university said multiple law enforcement agencies were assisting in the probe into the death. The FBI said in a statement that it was prepared to investigate, "if, during the course of the local investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal violation."



The local coroner's office said there was no evidence to suggest that Reed was physically attacked or assaulted before his death and that further information would be shared "once the autopsy results are finalized."



Reed's body was sent to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for an official autopsy report.