Congressman Bennie Thompson and civil rights lawyer Ben Crump called for outside investigations into the death of college student Demartravion "Trey" Reed.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson on Tuesday called for a federal investigation into the death of Demartravion “Trey” Reed. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI UPI Attorney Ben Crump (C) on Tuesday called for a federal investigation into the death of Demartravion “Trey” Reed. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI UPI

Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The hanging death of a Black man in Mississippi Monday has sparked calls for an outside investigation as questions about the incident persist.

The body of Demartravion "Trey" Reed, 21, was found hanging Monday morning from a tree near the pickleball court at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., university police chief Michael Peeler said during a news conference.

Peeler said he did not suspect foul play in Reed's death and there was no wider threat to the campus, which was closed Monday. He also said he asked state and local authorities to help with the investigation.

But the way Reed died and the state's history of racial violence has evoked suspicions and worry that extend from students and online commentators to more prominent voices.

Social media posts continued to circulate claiming that both of Reed's legs were broken and he was suffering other injuries that would have made hanging himself impossible, reported the Clarion Ledger.

That prompted the Bolivar County Coroner's office to issue a statement to local media indicating that Reed "did not suffer any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault" and that their investigation was ongoing.

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"At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death," the statement said.

However, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., in a statement Tuesday called on the Department of Justice and FBI to launch an investigation into what he called Reed's "suspicious death." Thompson said in the statement that federal authorities would ensure a "full and impartial investigation," and that the FBI had resources to conduct "a thorough, unbiased inquiry."

"We must leave no stone unturned in the search for answers," Thompson said in a statement. "While the details of this case are still emerging, we cannot ignore Mississippi's painful history of lynching and racial violence against African Americans."

Stacie Hoskins, a Black student at the university, told 16 WAPT that Reed's death "really makes me feel unsafe."

Reed's family issued a statement to the TV station: "Trey was our little quiet light. He was sweet, well mannered, and would give you the world if he could. We ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers as we continue to navigate through these unforeseen times."

Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights lawyer, also said in a post on X that he had been retained by Reed's family and called for "a full, independent investigation."

"We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain," wrote Crump. "I stand with this family, and I will lead a team of civil rights leaders and organizations in pursuing transparency and answers for Trey's family. "

The same day Reed's body was discovered, Cory Zukatis, 36, was found dead hanging from a tree in a wooded area in Vicksburg, reported the Clarion Ledger. Police told the paper they do not believe the deaths are related and described Zukatis as a white homeless man.