Tragedy at Delta State University as Student Found Dead

There was tension and grief at Delta State University (DSU) on Monday morning after the body of a student was discovered hanging from a tree on campus.

In an early statement released at about 9 a.m., the school confirmed the discovery, saying university staff had found the body before alerting campus police and local authorities.

“University Police and local authorities were immediately notified and are conducting an active investigation,” the statement read.

By Monday afternoon, DSU President Daniel Ennis revealed the identity of the deceased as Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old student from Grenada.

“Our community is deeply saddened by this loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Trey’s family, friends, and everyone affected by this tragedy,” Ennis said during a press briefing on campus.

According to Mike Peeler, DSU’s Director of Public Safety, police received a distress call around 7:05 a.m. reporting a Black male “hanging from a tree” near the university’s central pickleball courts.

Reed’s body was recovered by the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office, while the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department joined in to assist with the case.

Peeler added that there was no evidence of foul play at this time, but investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding Reed’s death.

Following the tragic discovery, the university immediately canceled all classes and centennial events scheduled for the day.

Counseling and mental health support have been made available for students, faculty, and staff members struggling to cope with the news.

“This is a painful time for our university family,” Ennis said, urging students to reach out for help if they need emotional support.

Reed’s death has left students and staff reeling, with many gathering in small groups across campus to comfort each other. While authorities continue their investigation, the university says it will respect the privacy of Reed’s family and share updates only when new information is available.