UPDATE — Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 9:53 a.m. EST:
NewsOne has confirmed with the Vicksburg Police Division that the second sufferer talked about on this story, Cory Zukatis, shouldn’t be Black. Our story has been corrected, and our hope is that Cory’s household and family members are nonetheless in a position to get the solutions they want in his tragic loss of life.
Authorities in Mississippi are investigating two separate incidents involving males discovered hanging inside 24 hours, elevating alarm and prompting requires transparency as communities grapple with shock and grief.
On Monday, Delta State College police confirmed that 21-year-old pupil Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a Black man, was discovered lifeless on campus in Cleveland, Mississippi. College Police Chief Michael L. Peeler mentioned throughout a press convention that Reed’s physique was found hanging from a tree close to the pickleball courts at roughly 7:05 a.m.
“Right now, there is no such thing as a proof of foul play,” Peeler mentioned. “The physique has been retrieved by the Bolivar County Coroner’s workplace. I’ve requested the help of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Bolivar County Sheriff’s workplace, and the Cleveland Police Division to help us on this ongoing investigation.”
Though the Bolivar County Coroner has not confirmed the reason for loss of life, authorities are treating the incident as a suicide. Delta State President Dan Ennis addressed the campus neighborhood following the invention, noting that the campus wouldn’t go into lockdown resulting from there being no current menace.
“I wish to reiterate Chief Peeler’s remark, Ennis mentioned. “There isn’t a proof of a menace to campus, and there’s no proof the campus is unsafe at this level.”
There have been additionally rumors that Reed was College employees found the physique of 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed on Monday close to the DSU pickleball courts at central campus, prompting the cancellation of centennial celebrations on the 100-year-old establishment.
On Monday, studies circulated on social that Reed suffered two damaged legs and different accidents that will have made it bodily unimaginable for him to take his personal life, however The Impartial studies that the Bolivar County Coroner’s workplace shut down the rumors in an announcement on Monday, saying:
“Primarily based on the preliminary examination, we are able to affirm that the deceased didn’t endure any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, damaged bones, or accidents per an assault.”
“Right now, there is no such thing as a proof to counsel the person was bodily attacked earlier than his loss of life,” the assertion continued.
The tragedy occurred because the college’s roughly 2,700 college students had been making ready to rejoice its centennial. All ceremonies, together with opening ceremonies and the revealing of a time capsule, had been canceled, and lessons had been suspended on Monday as college students, school, and employees had been inspired to go to counseling sources to deal with the traumatic incident.
“Our neighborhood is deeply saddened by their loss,” Delta State mentioned in an announcement. “We prolong our heartfelt condolences to the household and pals impacted.”
Ennis famous that college management would meet to find out whether or not lessons and occasions would resume later within the week.
Simply hours after Reed’s loss of life, one other tragic discovery was made throughout the state. Round 1:30 p.m. on Monday, the Vicksburg Police Division responded to a name a few physique discovered hanging in a wooded space off the 4100 block of Washington Avenue, close to the Ameristar On line casino.
The sufferer has been recognized as Cory Zukatis, a resident of Brandon, Mississippi. Police mentioned the investigation stays ongoing, and as of press time, no additional particulars have been launched relating to the circumstances surrounding Zukatis’s loss of life. There are studies that Zukatis was unhoused. Social media posts included photos of a younger man who shouldn’t be Cory Zukatis. The younger man being falsely recognized as Cory in social media posts is definitely Galvin Fortenberry, a 17-year-old who was shot and killed in August.
Reed’s loss of life in Cleveland has drawn heightened consideration—particularly after Black faculties acquired bomb threats following the loss of life of controversial podcaster, Charlie Kirk.
Officers in each circumstances have mentioned that foul play shouldn’t be suspected, however the truth that two males had been discovered hanging in separate Mississippi cities on the identical day has left communities shaken and has highlighted the significance of psychological well being consciousness, neighborhood assist, and open communication throughout moments of collective grief.
This story is growing.
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