Family of Man Found Hanging From Tree Was Told

Lawyers for the family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed claim police initially told the victim’s family that he died in his dorm room.

Reed, a student at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., was found dead hanging from a tree near the college’s pickleball courts on the morning of Monday, Sept. 15.

Vanessa J. Jones, an attorney representing Reed’s family, said the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department “informed the family that Trey was found dead in his dorm room, in his bed,” according to the Mississippi Free Press.

Speaking with ABC affiliate WAPT, Reed’s grandfather J.B. Reed said the comment was made by a member of the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department and that “he didn’t even say possible suicide, he said suicide.”

When asked about the discrepancy about where Reed’s body was found at a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 17, Delta State’s Director of Public Safety Mike Peeler said he did not have knowledge of any calls Reed’s grandfather received.

Jonas has called for university officials to release any surveillance footage they have that might shed light on Reed’s death.

“The family does not know exactly what happened on Sept. 15, 2025,” Jones said, according to WAPT. “We are seeking answers.”

“ If this young man was on the campus of Delta State University with all these cameras and all this modern technology, from the moment he left his dorm room or entered the campus, there should be surveillance of all his actions,” Jones added, per the Mississippi Free Press. “That’s what we want.”

During Wednesday’s press conference, Peeler confirmed that “there are videos and they’re in the hands of the investigative team.”

Peeler did not share additional details about the nature of the videos.

The Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Grenada Police Department (GPD) and university officials did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. The website for the Grenada County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) was down when PEOPLE attempted to reach them.

Reed’s family has also retained civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Crump said the 21-year-old student was “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,” Crump stated. “We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain.”

“I stand with this family, and I will lead a team of civil rights leaders and organizations in pursuing transparency and answers for Trey’s family,” he added, calling for a “thorough and transparent investigation” into Reed’s death.

Several social media posts have alleged that Reed had two broken legs and additional injuries that would have made it impossible for him to hang himself, the Clarion Ledger previously reported.

But Peeler stated that there is no evidence of foul play in connection with Reed’s death, according to a statement from university officials. He also claimed there is no ongoing threat to campus safety.

Based on their preliminary examination, the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office (BCCO) said that Reed “did not suffer any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault,” according to the Ledger.

“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death,” the BCCO said.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Peeler maintained that officials do not believe there was any foul play involved but that an investigation remains active.

During the press conference, Delta State University President Daniel Ennis acknowledged that Trey’s death “has stirred many emotions in this community and many emotions around the state and the nation.”

“While the preliminary report of the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office indicates no evidence of foul play, we recognize that this is not only about facts,” Ennis continued. “It’s about emotions, and it’s about feelings.”

Reed’s body has been transported to the state’s medical examiner’s office for an autopsy. Preliminary results are expected within the next couple of days.

Lawyers for the family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed claim police initially told the victim’s family that he died in his dorm room.

Reed, a student at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., was found dead hanging from a tree near the college’s pickleball courts on the morning of Monday, Sept. 15.

Vanessa J. Jones, an attorney representing Reed’s family, said the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department “informed the family that Trey was found dead in his dorm room, in his bed,” according to the Mississippi Free Press.

Speaking with ABC affiliate WAPT, Reed’s grandfather J.B. Reed said the comment was made by a member of the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department and that “he didn’t even say possible suicide, he said suicide.”

When asked about the discrepancy about where Reed’s body was found at a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 17, Delta State’s Director of Public Safety Mike Peeler said he did not have knowledge of any calls Reed’s grandfather received.

Jonas has called for university officials to release any surveillance footage they have that might shed light on Reed’s death.

“The family does not know exactly what happened on Sept. 15, 2025,” Jones said, according to WAPT. “We are seeking answers.”

“ If this young man was on the campus of Delta State University with all these cameras and all this modern technology, from the moment he left his dorm room or entered the campus, there should be surveillance of all his actions,” Jones added, per the Mississippi Free Press. “That’s what we want.”

During Wednesday’s press conference, Peeler confirmed that “there are videos and they’re in the hands of the investigative team.”

Peeler did not share additional details about the nature of the videos.

The Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Grenada Police Department (GPD) and university officials did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. The website for the Grenada County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) was down when PEOPLE attempted to reach them.

Reed’s family has also retained civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Crump said the 21-year-old student was “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,” Crump stated. “We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain.”

“I stand with this family, and I will lead a team of civil rights leaders and organizations in pursuing transparency and answers for Trey’s family,” he added, calling for a “thorough and transparent investigation” into Reed’s death.

Several social media posts have alleged that Reed had two broken legs and additional injuries that would have made it impossible for him to hang himself, the Clarion Ledger previously reported.

But Peeler stated that there is no evidence of foul play in connection with Reed’s death, according to a statement from university officials. He also claimed there is no ongoing threat to campus safety.

Based on their preliminary examination, the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office (BCCO) said that Reed “did not suffer any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault,” according to the Ledger.

“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death,” the BCCO said.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Peeler maintained that officials do not believe there was any foul play involved but that an investigation remains active.

During the press conference, Delta State University President Daniel Ennis acknowledged that Trey’s death “has stirred many emotions in this community and many emotions around the state and the nation.”

“While the preliminary report of the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office indicates no evidence of foul play, we recognize that this is not only about facts,” Ennis continued. “It’s about emotions, and it’s about feelings.”

Reed’s body has been transported to the state’s medical examiner’s office for an autopsy. Preliminary results are expected within the next couple of days.