Investigation Underway After Black Student Found Hanging at Delta State University
A Black college student was found hanging from a tree at Delta State University, with police reporting no foul play. The incident has prompted calls for independent and federal investigations.
Overview
- A Black college student was discovered hanging from a tree on the campus of Delta State University in Mississippi, prompting an immediate police response.
- Local police and the Bolivar County Coroner stated there were no signs of foul play, with the coroner ruling the death a suicide and refuting rumors of assault injuries.
- The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the death investigation, while authorities maintain their initial assessment of no foul play.
- Civil rights attorney Ben Crump was retained by the student's family for an independent investigation, and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson requested FBI involvement.
- Delta State University canceled classes following the incident, as the community grapples with the student's death and the ongoing official and independent inquiries.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the historical context of racial violence and public skepticism surrounding official police statements. They highlight calls for independent investigations from civil rights figures, juxtaposing these with initial police findings. This approach collectively shapes a narrative that questions the official "no foul play" conclusion and underscores the racial implications of the student's death.
"Numerous social media posts about the case evoked a darker period in U.S. history when killings of Black people, almost exclusively at the hands of white male vigilantes, inflicted racial terror in Mississippi and other parts of the Deep South."
ABC News"Numerous social media posts about the case evoked a darker period in U.S. history when killings of Black people, almost exclusively at the hands of white male vigilantes, inflicted racial terror in Mississippi and other parts of the Deep South."
Associated Press"The investigation into the deaths of two men found hanging from trees in Mississippi has raised concerns and led to the ruling of suicide in one case, while the other remains under investigation."
USA TODAYArticles (4)
Center (3)
FAQ
The student found hanging was Demartravion 'Trey' Reed, a Black college student at Delta State University.
Authorities, including local police and the Bolivar County Coroner, have ruled the death a suicide and reported no signs of foul play or assault injuries.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the official death investigation; additionally, the student's family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump for an independent investigation, and U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson has requested FBI involvement.
Delta State University canceled classes following the discovery of the student's death as the community processes the event and ongoing investigations continue.
Despite official findings of no foul play, concerns from the student's family and the community have led to calls for independent and federal investigations to ensure a thorough and unbiased inquiry.
History
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