Funeral Held for Black Scholar Discovered Useless on Campus, Sister Pays Tribute

Family members gathered over the weekend to honor the lifetime of a 21-year-old Black school scholar who was found dead on his university’s campus in Mississippi earlier this month.

Demartravion “Trey” Reed was discovered hanging from a tree on the campus of Delta State College (DSU) on the morning of Monday, Sept. 15. Information of his demise sparked outrage throughout the nation as officers repeatedly mentioned there was no proof of foul play in reference to Reed’s demise.

Reed’s funeral service was held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Ample Life Meeting of The Apostolic Religion in Grenada, and he was interred shortly after, in accordance with his obituary.

In the course of the service, Reed was honored by numerous family members, together with his sister, who mentioned in a speech, “Although miles might separate us and time might maintain us aside, know that you simply’re all the time near my coronary heart. Your laughter, your knowledge, your power, they’re all pillars of my life, and in moments of pleasure and sorrow, you have been my rock, my confidante, my information in life.”

“Your current is a treasure I cherish dearly, and in your absence, I really feel a void that solely your love can fill. Although phrases might fail to precise the depth of an infection, allow them to function a testomony to the bond we share, a bond unbreakable,” she continued, including: “Till we meet once more, know that you’re missed and you might be liked, and also you’re all the time in my ideas with all my love.”

An post-mortem carried out by the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s office decided that Reed, 21, died by suicide. Nevertheless, his household has challenged the discovering.

Legal professional Ben Crump, who’s representing the household, beforehand introduced that former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s “Know Your Rights Camp Post-mortem Initiative” will cowl the prices of an impartial post-mortem, in accordance with an announcement obtained by PEOPLE.

Shortly after information of Reed’s demise was made public, a number of social media posts alleged that Reed had two damaged legs and extra accidents that may have made it unimaginable for him to hold himself, in accordance with the Clarion Ledger.

This was disputed by the Bolivar County Coroner’s Workplace (BCCO), which beforehand mentioned in an announcement that Reed “didn’t undergo any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, damaged bones, or accidents according to an assault,” the Ledger reported.

Delta State’s Director of Public Security Mike Peeler has additionally said that there isn’t any proof of foul play in reference to Reed’s demise, in accordance with an announcement from the varsity.

“Our ideas and prayers stay with Reed’s household and buddies throughout this very troublesome time,” mentioned Cleveland Police Chief Travis Tribble in an announcement after Reed’s post-mortem outcomes had been launched. “We need to encourage anybody who’s struggling to achieve out for assist.”

Nevertheless, Reed’s household has “has raised critical issues after receiving conflicting accounts and incomplete details about the circumstances of his demise,” a consultant for Crump’s workplace wrote in a release.

“Trey’s demise evoked the collective reminiscence of a group that has suffered a historic wound over many, a few years and lots of, many deaths. Peace will come solely by attending to the reality,” the legal professional wrote in an announcement. “We thank Colin Kaepernick for supporting this grieving household and the reason for justice and reality.”

The Mississippi Clarion Ledger reported these outcomes haven’t been made public but.

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to remain up-to-date on the most effective of what PEOPLE has to supply, from superstar information to forcing human curiosity tales.

In a earlier assertion obtained by PEOPLE, Crump mentioned Reed was “filled with promise and heat, deeply liked and revered by all who knew him.”

“His household and the campus group deserve a full, impartial investigation to uncover the reality about what occurred,” Crump mentioned. “We can not settle for obscure conclusions when so many questions stay.”