Delta State student found dead on campus, centennial events canceled

A 21-year-old Delta State University student was found dead on the Cleveland, Mississippi, campus Monday morning, prompting the cancellation of classes and centennial events as authorities investigated. University and law enforcement officials identified the student as Demartravion Trey Reed of Grenada, Mississippi, and said his body was discovered hanging from a tree shortly after 7 a.m. in a central area of campus near the pickleball courts.

Delta State University Police Chief Michael Peeler told reporters that initial observations suggested the death was a suicide and showed no signs of foul play, but the Bolivar County coroner has not yet released an official cause of death. Peeler said the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and other local agencies are assisting campus police and that Reed’s body was turned over to the coroner for autopsy. “I just want to confirm, this is a safe campus,” Peeler said, urging calm as the inquiry continues.

University President Daniel Ennis expressed condolences and described the incident as a devastating moment for the campus community. “Our community is deeply saddened by this loss,” Ennis said, according to a university statement. The...