Mississippi officials announced on Thursday that a student found hanging from a tree at his college had taken his own life.
On Monday, Delta State University student Demartravion Reed, 21, was discovered hanging from a tree located in the middle of campus. Cleveland Chief of Police Travis Tribble said Reed’s death was formally ruled a suicide by hanging, though toxicology results are pending, according to the Mississippi Free Press.
Like the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s office, the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office said it found no injuries on Reed that would suggest foul play was involved in his death.
Reed’s family said they are seeking an independent autopsy — alleging authorities told the media about Reed’s death before them. Reed’s attorney alleged that on Tuesday, Grenada County officers went to the family’s home and told them Reed was found dead in bed in his dorm room.
According to WJTV, attorney Ben Crump announced that Colin Kaepernick’s “Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative” is paying for the second autopsy. Crump said Reed’s family is waiting for the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office to release his body, so the second autopsy can be conducted.
Meanwhile, Tribble said the state’s autopsy was turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for review.
Reed’s toxicology report is expected to take two to four weeks.
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