Cory Zukatis (Vicksburg) — Facts and Updates (September 2025)
Background and Latest Updates
- Cory Zukatis, a 35/36-year-old white man from Brandon, Mississippi, was found hanging from a tree in a wooded area near the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg on September 15, 2025.
- He was reportedly homeless and living in the area where his body was found.
- The Warren County Coroner’s Office responded and pronounced Zukatis dead at the scene. His family was notified.
- Zukatis was reportedly 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.
- Coroner Doug 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Media Coverage and News Links
- Vicksburg News: Man Found Hanging From Tree in Vicksburg Identified
- WOWT: What we know about the hanging deaths of two men in Mississippi
- Economic Times: Trey Reed and Corey Zukatis: Two men found hanging in Mississippi on same day
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Key Facts
- 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
Latest Updates (as of September 19, 2025)
- 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.
- Police in Vicksburg and Cleveland (Delta State) have both stated there is no evidence the two deaths are related, despite social media speculation.
- As of September 19, 2025, the official cause of death has not yet been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.
(Sources: Mississippi Free Press, Vicksburg News, WOWT, Economic Times, WTVA, Clarion Ledger, Vicksburg Post)