Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is funding an independent autopsy for Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old student found dead on the campus of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. Reed’s family disputes the initial ruling of suicide by local authorities.
Reed’s body was discovered hanging from a tree near the campus pickleball courts on Monday, September 15. According to family attorney Vanessa J. Jones, law enforcement initially told the family that Reed had died in his dorm room. The county coroner and state examiner later ruled the death a suicide, with no foul play suspected.
Attorney Ben Crump, representing the Reed family, said Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative will cover the cost of a second, independent autopsy.
“Trey’s family deserves answers they can trust. We cannot accept rushed conclusions when the stakes are this high. By demanding the family be allowed to view any relevant video and commissioning an independent autopsy, we are taking every step to uncover the truth about what happened to Trey. Every student deserves to feel safe where they live and learn,” Crump said.
He added,
“Trey’s death evoked the collective memory of a community that has suffered historic wounds over many years. Peace will come only by getting to the truth. We thank Colin Kaepernick for supporting this grieving family and the cause of justice and truth.”
Kaepernick, who last played in the NFL in 2016, has focused on activism and social justice initiatives since leaving the league. The Autopsy Initiative, one of the programs offered by his Know Your Rights Camp, provides families with a second autopsy for loved ones at no cost.
