By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On Monday morning, Delta State University staff discovered the body of 21-year-old student Demartravion “Trey” Reed hanging from a tree on campus, prompting mourning and the cancellation of centennial events. University Police announced that no foul play is suspected, and no threat to campus exists. An investigation into Reed’s death is ongoing with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation assisting, and a full autopsy is pending. Counselors are available for students, and prayer services are being planned in response to the loss.
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DSU Student Found Hanging in Tree, No Foul Play Suspected. This situation… it’s a lot. You see a headline like that, and a whole wave of thoughts and feelings just… hits you. It’s a young man, a student, and the starkness of the words “hanging in a tree”… it’s jarring. Then, the immediate “no foul play suspected.” That’s the first thing that raises so many eyebrows.
The immediate concern, of course, is the location – Mississippi. The history of the state, the legacy of racial injustice, it all casts a long shadow. And when a Black man is found hanging from a tree in Mississippi, the automatic thought process is: Is this a hate crime? Is this a cover-up? The timing is relevant here. With heightened racial tensions, it adds fuel to the fire of suspicion. One can’t help but recall the horrific memory of Emmett Till, a stark reminder of the violence and injustice faced in the past. It’s impossible to ignore the weight of history that comes with this event.
The very phrasing, “no foul play suspected,” feels dismissive, doesn’t it? It almost feels like a rushed judgment, especially when you consider the context. The comments, the immediate reactions, they’re saturated with skepticism. A Black man found hanging? In Mississippi? The lack of a comprehensive investigation, the absence of a coroner’s report, and the early declaration of “no foul play”… it all just doesn’t sit right. The idea that one county deputy, with an off-the-cuff opinion, can dismiss the possibility of something more sinister? It’s hard to accept.
The location of the body, on a college campus, is another critical detail. These campuses, even in the most unassuming places, are usually monitored by security cameras. The fact that no definitive video evidence immediately surfaces adds to the feeling of unease. Where is the footage? That’s the natural question, right? The apparent lack of video, or the lack of a conclusive public statement about the presence of surveillance, only compounds the suspicion.
The mention of the victim’s hands being tied in the front is a detail that has been brought into the discussion. While not an indication of foul play, it does raise eyebrows. One has to wonder whether the details of this unfortunate event will ever see the light of day.
The idea of suicide, while a possible explanation, feels premature and almost insensitive given the circumstances. It’s not that the possibility is discounted, but to declare it the most likely scenario before a thorough investigation feels… insensitive. A suicide note, family history, and the general sense of loss are the major deciding factors in establishing suicide.
The comments and concerns are not simply conjecture. They stem from a very real fear, a deep-seated mistrust of authorities in the South, especially when it comes to cases involving Black victims. Many find it hard to believe that suicide is the reason when a black man is found hanging from a tree. Some are thinking this is a premeditated murder by racists. When you have a history of systemic injustice, it’s understandable that trust is hard to come by.
In this current climate, the fear is almost amplified. With the rise of overt white supremacy, and the emboldening of hate groups, the idea of a hate crime becomes a very real possibility. The comments reflect this, the fear is not about the actual hanging, but the potential cause, which is something very sinister.
This isn’t just about a single incident; it’s about a pattern, a history of overlooking, dismissing, and, at worst, actively covering up injustices against Black people. Many are wondering if the authorities are involved in the lynching or if they are just covering it up. The feeling is that justice is not a priority. The focus seems to be on quickly resolving the situation and avoiding any uncomfortable scrutiny.
The sentiment expressed – that this “stinks to high heaven” – isn’t just about a single incident; it is the culmination of a broader, and deep-seated distrust. And it’s hard to ignore. It is hard to ignore the fear, the historical context, and the lingering questions. In this instance, the initial pronouncements of “no foul play” only serve to amplify the doubts, and further fuel the need for a thorough and transparent investigation. The world is watching.