The family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a Black student found hanging from a tree on a college campus in Mississippi, has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Questions surrounding the death continue to grow, and concerns have been raised about the state’s history of racist violence. Police at Delta State University found Reed’s body near campus pickleball courts, with no signs of foul play. However, the case brings painful reminders of Mississippi’s past, and Crump has called for a full, independent investigation to determine the cause of Reed’s death. The student’s death has also drawn the attention of Congressman Bennie Thompson, who has called on the FBI to investigate. The case has raised suspicions about potential foul play and shared similarities with historical lynchings that occurred in the region. Despite initial reports with no evidence of “foul play,” skepticism has grown regarding the cause of Reed’s death, and further autopsy reports are being awaited.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/delta-state-university-mississippi-hanging-ben-crump
