Remembering Trey Reed: A Brilliant Black Student’s Life, Legacy and the Unanswered Questions in Mississippi

Image Credit: The Reed Family

A promising young life ended in tragedy when 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a Black computer science student at Delta State University, was found dead on Sept. 15 in Cleveland, Miss.

His death has shaken the community, raised questions about justice and reignited conversations about how Black lives are handled within the criminal and educational systems in the South.

Reed, originally from Grenada, Mississippi, was described by loved ones as bright, kind and deeply committed to his future. He was pursuing a degree in computer science at Delta State University, located about an hour from his hometown. 

Tragedy struck unexpectedly, and according to Yahoo News, Reed’s body was discovered hanging from a tree near the university’s pickleball courts.

The Cleveland Police Department said officers were notified of the incident around 7:05 a.m., but Bolivar County Coroner Randolph Seals later clarified that Reed’s death occurred the previous day. His body was then taken to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for an autopsy.

The chain of events and inconsistencies surrounding the case quickly caused confusion and concern. 

Reed’s family was initially told that he had been found deceased in his dorm room, only for law enforcement to later report that he was discovered outside near the courts. 

The conflicting information left his family suspicious, uneasy and determined to seek the truth about what happened to their loved one.

According to the ABC affiliate WAPT, a sheriff’s deputy initially described Reed’s death as a possible suicide. Later, Mississippi Director of Public Safety Mike Peeler said that Reed was found outside and denied involvement or acknowledgment of the original claims, Yahoo News reported.

The Bolivar County Coroner’s Office conducted the autopsy, which was performed by Dr. Matthias I. Okoye of Nebraska. A press release from the coroner’s office stated that there was no physical evidence of an attack and that Reed did not suffer lacerations, broken bones or significant injuries consistent with an assault.

“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,” the statement read.

University officials also reported that no foul play was evident and that there were no active threats tied to the college.

Despite the official determination of suicide, Reed’s family sought legal counsel from attorney Vanessa J. Jones and civil rights lawyer Ben Crump. The powerful civil rights attorneys will represent them as they seek transparency and accountability. 

The family has also requested a second autopsy and launched a private investigation of their own.

Civil rights activist and former NFL player Colin Kaepernick stepped in to support the family through his Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative, which offers free, independent autopsies to families who question official findings. 

According to The Chicago Crusader, the independent autopsy commissioned by Kaepernick’s organization has not yet been publicly released, but the public has already begun to speculate that the new report may present findings different from the original.

Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Campaign is a campaign dedicated to advancing education, self-empowerment and social justice within the Black community. By funding the autopsy, the organization continues its mission to help families pursue truth and accountability in cases that demand closer scrutiny.

The devastating discovery of Reed’s body left the Cleveland community heartbroken and uneasy. His death also revived memories of similar tragedies in Mississippi, where a pattern of Black men found hanging has drawn attention from civil rights advocates for decades.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there have been multiple suspected hangings of Black men in Mississippi since 2000. While local authorities have classified many of these deaths as suicides, families and activists have repeatedly challenged those conclusions, citing suspicious circumstances.

Notable cases include:

• Raynard Johnson (2000): Found hanging in his yard, ruled a suicide, though his family believed it was a lynching, and a federal investigation was opened.

• Nick Naylor (2003): Found hanging with a dog chain, ruled a suicide despite family objections.

• Roy Veal (2004): Found hanging with a hood over his head, deemed consistent with suicide, though his family alleged lynching.

• Frederick Jermaine Carter (2010): Found hanging in a white neighborhood, ruled a suicide despite NAACP involvement.

• Otis Byrd (2015): Found hanging with a bedsheet, investigated by the FBI and DOJ, which found no foul play.

This history of unresolved and disputed cases continues to haunt families across the state and has deepened distrust in the justice system.

Reed’s family remembers him as a gentle, well-mannered young man who always aimed to uplift those around him. They described him as generous, quiet and thoughtful. 

In a statement shared with 16 WAPT News, the family said, “Trey was our little quiet light. He was sweet, well-mannered and would give you the world if he could. We ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers as we continue to navigate through these unforeseen times.”

The Delta State University President, Dr. Dan Ennis, also expressed his condolences and thoughts about the “tragedy” that took place on campus. 

Ennis said the school was “deeply saddened by this loss.” He also confirmed that he was in direct correspondence with Reed’s family. In the wake of the tragedy, the university temporarily closed its campus, canceled campus events and offered counseling resources to students and faculty impacted. 

While investigations continue, Reed’s family, friends and supporters remain committed to uncovering the truth about his death. They are also determined to ensure that his name and story are not forgotten.

Trey Reed’s life represented determination, promise and compassion. He pursued knowledge in a field where Black representation remains limited, and his dedication continues to inspire those who knew him. 

His legacy lives on through the people who loved him, the students who walk the halls of Delta State University in his memory and the ongoing calls for justice that his story has reignited.

Trey Reed’s story is a reminder that every life carries purpose, and his will continue to shape conversations about truth, accountability and equity for years to come.