Hanging Deaths of Two Men in Mississippi

narcolepticnerd September 17, 2025 0 comments

Facts: Hanging Deaths of Two Men in Mississippi (September 2025)

Background and Deep Context: Demartravion “Trey” Reed (Delta State University)

  • Trey Reed was a 21-year-old Black student at Delta State University, found hanging from a tree on campus on September 15, 2025.
  • The Bolivar County Coroner and deputies found no evidence of assault, broken bones, or injuries consistent with violence. No evidence of foul play has been found, but the investigation is ongoing.
  • Reed’s body was sent to the Mississippi State Medical Examiner for a full autopsy, with preliminary results expected within 24-48 hours.
  • The case is being investigated by the Cleveland Police Department, with assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Delta State University Police are cooperating fully.
  • There is video evidence related to Reed’s movements on campus, but details have not been released. The existence of surveillance footage is confirmed, but its contents are not public.
  • Reed’s family, represented by attorney Vanessa Jones and civil rights attorney Ben Crump, is demanding a full, independent investigation and an independent autopsy. They have raised concerns about the university’s communication and transparency.
  • U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson and the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus have called for a federal investigation, citing Mississippi’s history of racial violence and lynching.
  • Social media and some news outlets have circulated rumors and outrage, including false claims about broken limbs and lynching. These have been refuted by official statements.
  • Reed was described by family as a “happy young man” with plans for his future, including becoming a truck driver like his uncle.
  • The university president emphasized the diversity and safety of the campus, and that there is no ongoing threat to students.
  • The case has drawn national attention and is being discussed in the context of historical and contemporary racial tensions in Mississippi.

Images

Delta State University campus
Trey Reed - Family photo

Demartravion “Trey” Reed (Delta State University)

  • Name: Demartravion “Trey” Reed, 21, Black student
  • Found: Hanging from a tree in the center of Delta State University campus, around 7 a.m. Monday, September 15, 2025
  • Incident occurred: Sometime on Sunday
  • Coroner’s preliminary findings: No lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with assault; no evidence of physical attack before death (as of initial report)
  • Coroner: Randolph Seals (Bolivar County); Deputy Coroners Murray Roark and Dwayne Proctor assisted
  • Cause/manner of death: Not yet determined (ongoing investigation; not ruled homicide or suicide)
  • Remains sent to Mississippi State Crime Lab for autopsy; family is requesting an independent autopsy
  • Congressman Bennie Thompson called for a federal investigation by the FBI and DOJ, citing Mississippi’s history of racial violence
  • Civil rights attorney Ben Crump retained by Reed’s family, calling for a full, independent investigation and transparency
  • Family and community are demanding release of campus surveillance footage to clarify Reed’s actions before his death
  • Rumors about broken limbs or signs of assault have been denied by the coroner; no evidence of assault or broken limbs was found
  • The family criticized authorities for notifying the media before the family
  • Reed’s uncle described him as a happy, purposeful young man with plans for his future (wanted to be a truck driver)
  • The case has drawn attention on social media, with concerns about echoes of Mississippi’s history of lynching and racial violence
  • Delta State University President Dan Ennis released a statement, said campus is safe, and university is cooperating with investigators
  • Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus expressed concern and is monitoring for transparency and accountability

Additional updates as of September 17, 2025:

  • Video footage of Trey Reed exists and is in the hands of investigators; it is unclear if it shows the incident itself. Cleveland Police Department is leading the investigation, with Delta State University Police cooperating fully.


  • Reed’s body was sent to the Mississippi State Medical Examiner for a full autopsy; preliminary results expected within 24-48 hours of September 17, 2025.


  • University President Dan Ennis stated the university has been in regular contact with the next of kin listed by Trey Reed, but some family members dispute being contacted.


  • No evidence of foul play is currently suspected, but the investigation remains active.


  • University officials emphasized there are no active threats to campus safety and described the campus as diverse and inclusive.
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    Media and Social Media Perspectives (as of September 17, 2025)


  • Trey Reed’s death quickly sparked widespread social media speculation and discussions of media bias, particularly regarding the 21-year-old Black student’s race and the case’s alleged circumstances.


  • Some conservative-leaning platforms noted a lack of mainstream media coverage, while others compared the attention to that given to other high-profile cases.


  • Social media users are actively working to bring awareness to both Trey Reed and Cory Zukatis, with some expressing frustration at the perceived silence from major outlets.


  • The family of Trey Reed has retained nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump, which has been widely shared on social media.


  • Outrage and calls for justice continue to grow online, with the case being discussed in the context of racial violence and historical injustices.


  • Friends and relatives of Trey Reed are speaking out on social media, sharing personal accounts and expressing suspicions about possible injuries.


  • A video allegedly related to Trey Reed is circulating online; his family has publicly asked people not to share it.


  • Social media users are actively demanding justice for Reed and his family, especially after authorities stated there was no initial evidence of a crime.


  • Numerous posts have circulated rumors about Reed having broken legs or other injuries that would have prevented hanging, though these have been denied by official reports.


  • Public figures and activists (e.g., Ayanna Pressley) have posted tributes and calls for justice for Trey Reed on platforms like Instagram.


Background and Deep Context: Cory Zukatis (Vicksburg)

  • Cory Zukatis was a white man from Brandon, Mississippi, found hanging from a tree in a wooded area near the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg on September 15, 2025.
  • The Warren County Coroner’s Office responded and pronounced Zukatis dead at the scene. His family was notified.
  • Zukatis was reportedly homeless and living in the area where his body was found. He was on drugs at the time of his death, according to the coroner and confirmed by his mother.
  • The case is being investigated by the Vicksburg Police Department, with the body sent to the state crime lab for autopsy. Official cause of death is pending.
  • Authorities have stated there is no indication the two deaths (Zukatis and Reed) are related.
  • The case has drawn attention due to the timing and similarity to the Reed case, and is being discussed in the context of homelessness, addiction, and transparency in investigations.

Images

Vicksburg Police Department
Vicksburg wooded area

Cory Zukatis (Vicksburg)

  • Name: Cory Zukatis, white male, Brandon resident
  • Found: Hanging from a tree in a wooded area off Washington Street, Vicksburg, on Monday morning
  • Area is known as a gathering place for people facing homelessness and addiction
  • Coroner: Doug Huskey (Warren County)
  • Zukatis was reportedly homeless and living in the area; his mother confirmed struggles with addiction
  • Body sent to State Crime Lab for autopsy; official cause of death pending autopsy results
  • Coroner Huskey stated it is too early to classify the case as suicide or foul play; investigation is ongoing and will follow clear procedures
  • Detectives from Vicksburg Police Department are leading the case, seeking witnesses and reviewing Zukatis’s last known activities
  • Community concern heightened due to Mississippi’s history of controversial hanging cases; advocates stress importance of transparency
  • The death highlights risks faced by homeless individuals in Mississippi, including crime, poor health, and lack of support
  • Both Zukatis and Trey Reed were found hanging on the same day, leading to national discussions about circumstances and accountability

Major Updates (Sept 16-18, 2025)

  • Demartravion “Trey” Reed, 21, was found hanging from a tree on the Delta State University campus near the pickleball courts at approximately 7:05 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (Snopes, Mississippi Free Press, WDSU, Independent, Economic Times)
  • Reed was from Grenada, Mississippi, and had just begun attending Delta State University.
  • The Bolivar County Coroner’s office, including Deputy Coroner Murray Roark and Coroner Rudolph Seals, stated there were no lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with assault. “No evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death.” (Snopes, Mississippi Free Press, Independent)
  • Social media rumors about broken limbs or a lynching were directly refuted by the coroner and police. (Snopes, Economic Times, Mississippi Free Press)
  • The case is still under investigation, with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation assisting. Reed’s remains were sent to the state crime lab for autopsy. (WOWT, Mississippi Free Press)
  • DSU Police Chief Michael Peeler and President Dr. Dan Ennis both stated there is no evidence of foul play and no threat to campus safety. (Snopes, WDSU, Independent)
  • Classes and centennial events at Delta State were cancelled following the discovery. (WDSU, Economic Times)
  • Reed’s family, represented by attorney Vanessa Jones, is calling for an independent autopsy and full investigation. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has been retained by the family. (Mississippi Free Press, WOWT)
  • U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson and the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus have called for a federal investigation, citing Mississippi’s history of racial violence. (WOWT, Mississippi Free Press)
  • There is video evidence related to Reed’s movements on campus, but details have not been released. (Mississippi Free Press)
  • The family expressed frustration that the media learned of Reed’s death before they did, and that initial notification from local law enforcement was confusing. (Mississippi Free Press)
  • Reed was described by family as “our little quiet light,” sweet, well-mannered, and with plans for his future. (Economic Times, WOWT)

Cory Zukatis (Vicksburg Case)

  • Cory Zukatis, a white man from Brandon, Mississippi, was found hanging from a tree in a wooded area near the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg on the same day as Reed’s death. (Vicksburg News, Economic Times, WOWT)
  • The Warren County Coroner’s Office responded and pronounced Zukatis dead at the scene. His family was notified. (Vicksburg News)
  • Zukatis was reportedly homeless and living in the area where his body was found. He was on drugs at the time of his death, according to the coroner and confirmed by his mother. (WOWT)
  • Zukatis’ body was sent to the state crime lab for autopsy. (WOWT)
  • Vicksburg Police have stated there is no indication the two deaths are related. (Snopes, WOWT)

Social Media & Media Perspectives

Latest Updates (as of September 18, 2025)

  • Officials in both Warren County (Zukatis) and Bolivar County (Reed) have not publicly raised the possibility that either death was a murder. The Bolivar County coroner stated his opinion is that Reed’s death was “self-done” and he has reasons for that, but did not elaborate.


  • The Vicksburg Police Department is still treating Cory Zukatis’s case as a death investigation and is actively investigating. Details remain limited, but the family has been notified and the department will provide updates as available.


  • Social media has spread rumors and incorrect information, including misidentifying photos and the race of the victims. Some viral posts have incorrectly described both men as Black, but only Trey Reed was Black; Zukatis was white.


  • Police in Vicksburg and Cleveland (Delta State) have both stated there is no evidence the two deaths are related, despite social media speculation.


  • For Trey Reed, the Bolivar County coroner reiterated there were no signs of assault, broken bones, or injuries consistent with violence. The case remains an ongoing death investigation, with no determination yet of homicide or suicide.


  • Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has been retained by Reed’s family, who continue to demand a full, independent investigation and transparency.


  • U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson and the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus have called for a federal investigation into Reed’s death, citing the state’s history of racial violence.


  • Both cases remain under investigation, with autopsy results for both men still pending.


  • As of September 18, 2025, investigations into the deaths of Trey Reed (21, Delta State University) and Cory Zukatis (35/36, Vicksburg) are ongoing. No official determination of homicide or suicide has been made public for either case. Some advocacy groups and social media posts continue to refer to the deaths as lynchings, but authorities have not confirmed this language. Autopsy results and further official updates are still pending for both men.


Ongoing

  • Both cases remain under investigation. Autopsy results for both Reed and Zukatis are pending.
  • The FBI and Department of Justice have been asked to investigate Reed’s death.
  • The university has provided counseling and support services for students and staff.

(Sources: Snopes, Mississippi Free Press, Vicksburg News, WOWT, Economic Times, WDSU, The Independent)

Category: 2025, Autopsy, Blog, Campus safety, Civil Rights, Coroner, Delta State University, Family response, Hanging deaths, Homelessness, Justice, Lynching, Media coverage, Mississippi, Police investigation, Public outrage, Racial violence, Social Media, Transparency, Vicksburg

Tags: 2025, Addiction, Autopsy, Ben Crump, Bennie Thompson, Black student, Campus safety, civil rights, Coroner, Cory Zukatis, Delta State University, Family response, Hanging deaths, Homelessness, Justice, Lynching, media coverage, Mississippi, Police investigation, Public outrage, Racial violence, Social Media, transparency, Trey Reed, Vicksburg

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