Family Seeks Independent Autopsy After Trey Reed’s Death
The tragic death of Demartravion “Trey” Reed has shaken Delta State University and the surrounding community. At just 21 years old, Trey was found hanging from a tree in the middle of campus on Monday morning. The shocking discovery has left his family searching for truth and clarity.
According to previous reports on Delta State University’s recent tragedy his case has raised major concerns over how authorities communicated with his loved ones in those first crucial hours.
On Tuesday, Vanessa J. Jones of the Jones Law Firm stood alongside Trey’s family at a press conference at Living Faith Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ in Grenada. She confirmed that the family is now demanding an independent autopsy.
“The family does not know exactly what happened on September the 15th of 2025,” Jones said. “We are seeking answers from Delta State University. We’re seeking answers from the coroner’s office.”
Conflicting Reports Given to Trey Reed’s Family
What hurts the family even more is the confusion that surrounded the first news they received. Vanessa Jones revealed that law enforcement came to Trey’s family home early that morning with the wrong information.
“The Grenada County Sheriff’s Department arrived at Trey’s family’s home … at approximately 9:15 and informed the family that Trey was found dead in his dorm room, in his bed,” she told reporters.
Hours later, the family learned that was not true. Instead, Trey had been found hanging from a tree in the heart of Delta State’s campus at 7:05 a.m. This shocking change in the story has made the family question how such miscommunication could have even happened. “The media,” Jones explained, “knew about Trey’s death before the family did.”
She went on to stress how damaging it was for loved ones to be left in the dark. “That’s one of the reasons for the urgency of this press conference, because the family is getting all of their information secondhand through the news.”
Delta State University and Officials Respond
Shortly after Trey’s body was found, Delta State University Police Chief Mike Peeler told the press that there were no immediate signs of foul play. Officials from the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office backed up that claim, saying there were no visible injuries that suggested an attack before the hanging.
But those statements haven’t stopped the questions.
Vanessa Jones didn’t hold back in her criticism. She told the Mississippi Free Press that the Reed family deserved far better from both Delta State University and Bolivar County officials during such a painful time.
Family Demands Campus Surveillance Footage
One of the biggest concerns for Trey’s family is the lack of transparency about what exactly happened before his death. Jones demanded that Delta State University release all relevant video footage from that morning.
“ 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 stated. “That’s what we want. Bring the surveillance, bring the cameras so that we’ll know exactly what happened.”
Her words reflect the fear that important details may have been overlooked or hidden. For the Reed family, surveillance footage may hold the answers that could finally provide closure—or reveal that more needs to be investigated.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
Trey’s death has not only broken his family’s hearts but also sparked concern across Mississippi. Students and community members are questioning safety on campus and whether they can trust school officials to be honest in times of crisis.
At the same time, advocates are calling for systemic changes in how schools handle sudden deaths and how they notify families. Miscommunication like what the Reed family endured should not happen again.
The family’s push for an independent autopsy may uncover more facts about Trey’s death. Until then, they continue to lean on their community, their legal team, and their faith to get through this devastating time.