Trey Reed’s family alleges inconsistencies in official narrative as they call for an independent autopsy

The family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old Delta State University student found dead on campus in Mississippi, is demanding an independent investigation and autopsy after discrepancies emerged in the official account of his death.

On September 15, 2025, someone reported Reed’s body hanging from a tree on the university’s campus. University officials and the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office initially reported that Reed showed no signs of foul play, suggesting suicide as the likely cause of death.

What Reed’s family was told

However, the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department informed Reed’s family differently. Vanessa J. Jones, the family’s attorney, stated that deputies arrived at the family’s home around 9:15 a.m. on the day of Reed’s death and told them that he had been found dead in his dorm room, not on campus, according to the Mississippi Free Press.

Reed’s grandfather, J.B. Reed, expressed disbelief, stating that the sheriff told him Reed had died by suicide without mentioning any possibility of foul play.

Reed’s family demands transparency

The Reed family is calling for a full, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Reed’s death. They have retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them and are seeking an independent autopsy to ensure transparency and accuracy. The family is also requesting access to campus surveillance footage to clarify Reed’s actions leading up to his death.

Attorney Jones criticized the lack of communication from university officials, stating that the family learned about Reed’s death through the media rather than direct contact from the university. Reed’s grandfather added that he doesn’t believe his grandson would have taken his own life, describing him as a joyful young man with a promising future.

The family’s call for an independent investigation has garnered support from various organizations. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has backed the family’s demand for a transparent probe into Reed’s death.

Additionally, Congressman Bennie Thompson has requested that the Department of Justice and the FBI investigate the circumstances surrounding Reed’s death. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has joined the case, and the investigation remains active.