The family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old Black college student found hanging from a tree at Delta State University, is seeking answers after receiving conflicting information about his death from authorities, per PEOPLE.

On Monday (September 15), Reed was found hanging from a tree near the university’s pickleball courts in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Police and university officials maintain there is no evidence of foul play. However, attorneys for Reed’s family said police initially told them that the 21-year-old had died in his dorm room.

“The family does not know exactly what happened on Sept. 15, 2025,” Vanessa J. Jones, one of the family's attorneys, said. “We are seeking answers.”

Reed’s grandfather, J.B. Reed, said a Bolivar County Sheriff's Department officer told him that his grandson had died by suicide in his bed.

“He didn't even say possible suicide,” the grandfather said. “He said suicide.”

University officials haven't explained the discrepancy. When asked about it during a press conference on Wednesday (September 17), Mike Peeler, Delta State’s Director of Public Safety, said he was unaware of the call to Reed's grandfather.

Jones is urging the university to release surveillance footage showing the moments leading up to Reed's death.

“If this young man was on the campus of Delta State University with all these cameras and all this modern technology… there should be surveillance of all his actions,” Jones said. “That’s what we want.”

Peeler confirmed that video footage exists and is in the hands of investigators, but declined to provide further details.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has joined the family's legal team, called Reed “full of promise and warmth."

“His family and the campus community deserve a full, independent investigation to uncover the truth about what happened. We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain," Crump said.

Reed’s death has sparked widespread concern online, with viral posts alleging injuries inconsistent with suicide, such as broken legs. However, the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office said preliminary findings show no signs of assault.

“No lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault,” the coroner’s report stated.

In a statement, university president Daniel Ennis acknowledged the growing public concern.

“Trey’s death has stirred many emotions in this community and around the state and the nation. While the preliminary report indicates no evidence of foul play, we recognize this is not only about facts. It’s about emotions, and it’s about feelings," Ennis said.

Reed’s body has been sent to the state medical examiner for autopsy. Preliminary results are reportedly expected within days.

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