Attorney Ben Crump to Lead Civil Rights Investigation in the Death of Delta State University Student Trey Reed

CLEVELAND, Miss. (September 16, 2025) – Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has been retained by the family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old student at Delta State University whose body was found hanging from a tree early Monday morning on the Cleveland campus. Attorney Crump will work with a number of civil rights organizations to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation. 

Authorities discovered Trey’s body near the pickleball courts around 7 am Monday after a faculty member found him. The discovery led to campus closure that day. Students and family members are deeply concerned and demand answers. 

Attorney Crump issued the following statement:

“Trey Reed was a young man full of promise and warmth, deeply loved and respected by all who knew him. 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. I stand with this family, and I will lead a team of civil rights leaders and organizations in pursuing transparency and answers for Trey’s family.”