Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he will pay for an independent autopsy for the Delta State University (DSU) student who was found dead on campus, civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced Friday.
The attorney said the second, independent autopsy for Demartravion “Trey” Reed will be sought after the state medical examiner releases his body.
On Thursday, Cleveland Police Department (CPD) officials said the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Sept. 17 and determined the cause of death was hanging, concluding the action to be suicide. CPD Officials added that final toxicology results are underway and may take two to four weeks to finish.
According to DSU officials, university police and local authorities were immediately notified after staff found the body hanging from a tree near the campus pickleball courts at around 7 a.m. on Sept. 15. Classes were canceled for the day.
University officials confirmed the identity of the deceased 21-year-old student to be Reed of Grenada, Mississippi. DSU Police Chief Mike Peeler said that there was no evidence of foul play.
The Bolivar County Coroner’s Office released a statement Monday saying it is conducting a “thorough death investigation,” and an initial examination revealed no evidence to suggest Reed was attacked before his death.
However, Crump said Reed’s family has serious concerns “after receiving conflicting accounts and incomplete information about the circumstances of his death.”
“Trey’s death evoked the collective memory of a community that has suffered a historic wound over many, many years and many, many deaths,” he said in a statement. “Peace will come only by getting to the truth. We thank Colin Kaepernick for supporting this grieving family and the cause of justice and truth.”
The second autopsy will be funded by the Colin Kaepernick “Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative.”
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI), were assisting in the investigation.
The MBI did not have an official statement on Reed’s death. They also said they would not provide Reed’s autopsy report through a public records request.
CPD officials said investigation materials have been given to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and The U.S. Attorney Office for review.
Hellbound and Down 