Colin Kaepernick funds independent autopsy for Delta State student found hanging at Mississippi college

Colin Kaepernick has agreed to fund an independent autopsy for Demartravion “Trey” Reed, the 21-year-old Delta State University student who was found dead Monday morning hanging from a tree near the pickleball courts on campus in Cleveland, Mississippi. Reed’s family has raised serious concerns about the death after receiving conflicting accounts and incomplete information about the cause, prompting a review that has drawn national attention."Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative" will finance a second, independent autopsy, according to Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing Reed’s family.

Bolivar County Coroner Randolph Seals Jr. has previously said Reed did not suffer lacerations, contusions, compound fractures or injuries consistent with an assault, and officials have said no foul play was suspected. Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell condemned unfounded rumors circulating about the student’s death as investigators examine available evidence, including video footage. Investigators from Delta State University Police Chief Michael Peeler said they are reviewing campus surveillance to determine what happened to the computer science major.

Crump said Reed’s family decided to pursue an independent autopsy after what he described as a lack of clarity surrounding the official ruling. “Trey’s death evoked the collective memory of a community that has suffered a historic wound over many, many years and many, many deaths. Peace will come only by getting to the truth,” Crump said in a statement. “We thank Colin Kaepernick for supporting this grieving family and the cause of justice and truth.” The fundraising effort is part of Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative, which seeks to fund an additional post-mortem examination when families challenge official conclusions.

The case has spurred questions about Reed’s final hours and the conditions surrounding his death. Jy’Quon Wallace, president of Delta State’s African American Student Council, described seeing Reed on Sunday night in an apparent emotional state after a heated phone conversation. Wallace said Reed appeared upset, pacing and gesturing as he walked toward Blansett Hall, and he recalled Reed being unlike his usual demeanor. "He was real upset. He would kick the wall and then he stormed off toward Blansett Hall," Wallace told the Clarion Ledger. Reed was described by friends as a computer science major who had recently expressed anxiety about a personal matter, heightening interest in the coroner’s findings and the campus’s response.

As the investigation unfolds, Reed’s family and their legal team are pushing for greater transparency. They have emphasized that the autopsy will serve to verify or challenge the initial determination and to address lingering concerns among Reed’s relatives and supporters. The case has already drawn attention from civil rights advocates who say deaths in Black communities have historically been clouded by inconsistent explanations, and they urged careful, independent review rather than assumptions.

Delta State University issued a brief statement confirming ongoing law enforcement review and the university’s cooperation with investigators. The campus community has remained attentive to developments as the coroner and state authorities continue to assess medical and forensic evidence. While officials have stressed that there is no immediate indication of foul play, the family’s request for an independent autopsy underscores the broader call for independent medical assessment in cases where a loved one dies under disputed circumstances on campus grounds. The proceedings, including the forthcoming second autopsy, are expected to contribute to a fuller understanding of Reed’s death and its impact on Delta State’s campus and the surrounding community.

In the wake of the initial ruling, Reed’s family has sought accountability and transparency. Crump characterized the autopsy funding as a measure to honor Reed and support a process aimed at uncovering the truth. The case has raised questions about how universities and law enforcement handle high-profile deaths on campus, and the ongoing autopsy process is likely to shape how such cases are reported and investigated in the future.

The family and supporters compiled outside campus facilities for vigils and prayer sessions, and community members have called for careful, fact-based reporting as authorities review surveillance footage and additional material. As more information becomes available, officials are expected to provide updates on the autopsy arrangements and the results of the ongoing review, which could influence the official narrative surrounding Reed’s death and the broader discussion about accountability and justice in campus environments.