After Trey Reed was found hanging from a tree and his death ruled a suicide, which has sparked outrage for many, former NFL Player and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick has decided to step up and pay for an independent autopsy.
According to reports, Kaepernick’s efforts was confirmed by civil rights attorney Ben Crump. The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Reed’s death a suicide by hanging.
Crump revealed that Reed’s family has some “serious concerns after receiving conflicting accounts and incomplete information.”
“Trey’s death evoked the collective memory of a community that has suffered a historic wound over many, many years and many, many deaths,” Crump said in a statement. “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’s Know Your Rights Camp will provide the funding through its Autopsy Initiative.
It was recently reported that Trey Reed, 21, was found hanging from a tree on Delta State University’s campus on Monday, September 15. The news surrounding his death has envoked outrage among the Black community who insists that Reed was lynched.
Since his death, Reed’s family said that they have received numerous conflicting reports on the nature and manner of his death.
The family’s attorney, Vanessa J. Jones said in a statement, “The family does not know exactly what happened on September the 15th of 2025. We are seeking answers from Delta State University. We’re seeking answers from the coroner’s office.”
Jones went to say that the family was first told that Reed was found dead in his dorm room and not hanging from a tree. They later learned the truth about his death after it was reported by the media.
Official’s had stated that “no foul play” has been suspected according to preliminary investigations, however the NAACP as well as others, have their doubts surrounding Reed’s death, believing that he was lynched.
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