Major Takeaways:
Authorities confirmed there is video evidence connected to Reed’s death but have not disclosed details.
Attorney Ben Crump has joined the case, demanding a full and independent investigation.
The FBI is monitoring the situation and may step in if federal violations are discovered.
Delta State Student Trey Reed Found Hanging on Campus: FBI, Ben Crump, and Family Demand Full Investigation
The small town of Cleveland, Mississippi, is on edge after the body of 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a Black student at Delta State University, was found hanging from a tree on campus Monday morning.
University officials and local police say there is video evidence connected to the incident, but they aren’t ready to reveal what it shows. Delta State’s Director of Public Safety Mike Peeler confirmed Wednesday that investigators have the footage but refused to give details, only saying the investigation is “ongoing.”
The Bolivar County Coroner’s Office issued a preliminary report claiming Reed showed no signs of physical assault — no cuts, bruises, or broken bones. His body has been sent to the state medical examiner, with autopsy results expected soon.
Delta State President Ennis admitted Reed’s death has “stirred many emotions” across the community and the nation, while Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson made it clear this case cannot be separated from the state’s dark history of racial violence. Thompson is pushing for a federal investigation.
The FBI’s Jackson Division confirmed they are in contact with local authorities and are ready to step in if evidence points to a federal violation.
Meanwhile, powerhouse civil rights attorney Ben Crump has been retained by Reed’s family. In a statement, Crump said:
“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.”
For now, university officials insist this was an “isolated incident” and say the campus remains safe. But for many in Mississippi and beyond, that reassurance doesn’t ease the pain — or the suspicion.
The case has struck a raw nerve because of where it happened and how it happened. A young Black man found hanging from a tree in Mississippi cannot be viewed as just another tragedy. The community wants clear answers, not cover stories.
The Reed family has not spoken publicly yet, but their silence is being filled with nationwide calls for transparency, justice, and accountability.
