Delta State Black student’s hanging death is ruled a suicide

CLEVELAND – The Black student found hanging from a tree Monday at Delta State University died by suicide, according to the state medical examiner’s office. The Bolivar County coroner had earlier drawn the same conclusion and determined no sign of foul play.

The body of Demartravion “Trey” Reed was discovered shortly after 7:30 a.m. in a tree beside pickleball courts and dorms on the Cleveland campus.

In the hours and days after, many students and staff have felt besieged as what seemed like every few minutes their cellphones buzzed with new rumors and speculation. The campus was rattled.

What students and faculty saw and heard did not resemble a Cleveland they know.

It was a hot late summer day when Reed’s family joined Delta State University President Dan Ennis and local law enforceme