In the wake of a tragedy at Delta State University, the family of De’Martravion “Trey” Reed, a vibrant 21-year-old student, is left grappling with unanswered questions and conflicting narratives. Trey’s body was discovered on the morning of September 15, hanging from a tree near the university’s pickleball courts, yet the circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in uncertainty.
The initial reports provided to Reed’s family have raised significant concerns. According to their attorney, Vanessa J. Jones, the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department initially informed the family that Trey had died inside his dormitory room. “The family was told that Trey was found dead in his dorm room, in his bed,” Jones recounted in a recent interview with the Mississippi Free Press. This contradicts the true scene of his death, igniting further questions about the investigation’s integrity.
Adding to the family’s distress, Trey’s grandfather, J.B. Reed, shared an alarming account of how officials communicated the circumstances of his grandson’s death. Speaking with ABC affiliate WAPT, he recalled a member of the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department stating unequivocally that it was a suicide. “He didn’t even say possible suicide, he said suicide,” J.B. Reed remarked, emphasizing the definitive nature of that statement.
During a press conference held shortly after Reed’s death, Mike Peeler, the Director of Public Safety at Delta State University, denied having knowledge of the inconsistent communications regarding the location of Reed’s body. However, he did mention that investigators are in possession of video footage related to the incident. The details of this footage, however, remain undisclosed, leaving many questions unanswered.
In the pursuit of answers, Vanessa Jones has urged the university to release all surveillance footage to the public. “The family does not know exactly what happened on September 15, 2025. We are seeking answers,” she stated. “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. That’s what we want.” This call for transparency highlights the family’s frustration and the need for clarity surrounding the case.
The Bolivar County Coroner’s Office has communicated that there is “no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death.” Yet, the confusion regarding the initial reports of where Reed was found has only deepened their concerns, casting a shadow over the investigation.
Nationally recognized civil rights attorney Ben Crump has now stepped in to represent the Reed family. In a poignant statement, he described Trey as “full of promise and warmth, deeply loved and respected by all who knew him.” Crump emphasized the family’s right to a thorough, independent investigation. “His family and the campus community deserve a full, independent investigation to uncover the truth about what happened,” he asserted, capturing the collective hope for clarity and justice.
As the situation unfolds, the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office, Grenada Police Department, and Delta State University have yet to provide further insights or clarifications, leaving the community and loved ones in a state of uncertainty. The demand for truth continues to resonate among those who knew Trey and his grieving family, marking this as a pivotal moment in the search for justice.