An independent autopsy is underway for a Mississippi student whose death in September has raised questions and concerns. The student, Demartravion Reed, was found hanging from a tree at Delta State University, prompting his family to seek further investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Demartravion Reed, a 21-year-old student at Delta State University, was discovered hanging from a tree on campus on September 15. While local authorities, including the Cleveland police, initially ruled his death a suicide, the family has pursued an independent autopsy. This examination, supported financially by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, aims to provide additional clarity, according to Mississippi Today.
The initial findings from the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office and the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office concluded that there were no signs of foul play. Their report noted an absence of injuries that might suggest another cause. Although a toxicology report was completed on September 26, it has not been released to the public.
The family of Reed has voiced concerns about how they were informed of his death, alleging that the media received the news before they did. Their attorney also claims that Grenada County officers initially misinformed them by saying Reed was found dead in his dorm room bed.
Jeremy Marquell Bridges, an activist based in Alabama, has been in touch with Reed’s family and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing them. Bridges shared with Mississippi Today that Crump is conducting a reenactment as part of the ongoing independent investigation into Reed’s death.
The independent investigation, according to Bridges, has revealed evidence that Reed may have been injured in a recent assault by other students. However, specific details of this alleged attack have not been made public, and it was not addressed in the initial autopsy report.
Bridges not only claimed that the belt buckle was missing from the belt Reed was hanged by, but he also said Reed had defended a Black female student who was being harassed by white classmates.
Bridges also said that the state crime lab was late to send Reed’s organs to Dr. Matthias Okoye, the pathologist conducting the independent autopsy. Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bailey Martin told Mississippi Today that Reed’s organs were sent to the funeral home on October 17. Martin did not address Bridges’ allegations about the organs being sent late to Okoye.
Along with Bridges, one of Reed’s relatives told Mississippi Today that the independent autopsy had been expected earlier this month.
On October 18, Reed’s mother and the New Black Panthers Party protested at Delta State University. There, they claimed Reed suffered blunt force trauma to the back of his head — which was not disclosed in the two official reports.
According to Mississippi Today, college officials said security footage cannot be released as it is still being used by law enforcement amid their active investigation.
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