Two Men Found Hanging in Mississippi on the Same Day: Communities Demand Clarity and Truth

On Monday, September 15, 2025, Mississippi was shaken by the discovery of two men found hanging in different parts of the state within hours of each other. Twenty-one-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a student at Delta State University in Cleveland, and Cory Zukatis, a 35-year-old unhoused man from Brandon, were both found dead by hanging in unrelated incidents.

Although authorities stress that the two deaths are not connected, the timing and nature of the discoveries have raised questions, stirred grief, and renewed calls for transparency from families and communities.

Case One: Demartravion “Trey” Reed at Delta State University

Reed, a junior at Delta State, was discovered around 7:05 a.m. hanging from a tree near the campus pickleball courts . The shocking discovery prompted the university to cancel classes and centennial celebrations, while grief counselors were dispatched to support students and staff .

Campus police, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office, and Cleveland Police are all investigating. Officials emphasize that no signs of foul play have been found so far, countering social-media rumors that Reed suffered broken bones or other traumatic injuries  . His body has been sent to the state crime lab for autopsy, and investigators say no conclusions will be drawn until the results are in .

Reed’s family described him as “our little quiet light… sweet, well-mannered, and would give you the world if he could” . His cousin urged the public not to accept easy answers: “Do your own research… don’t let them sweep nothing under the rug. Enough is enough.”

The campus community, particularly Black students, expressed fear and uncertainty. “Because I am a Black student, hearing that happened to another Black student… it really makes me feel unsafe,” said student Stacie Hoskins .

Case Two: Cory Zukatis in Vicksburg

Just a few hours later, around 10:30 a.m., authorities in Vicksburg were called to a wooded area near the Ameristar Casino, where they discovered the body of Cory Zukatis, a 35–36-year-old white man originally from Brandon  .

Zukatis, who was reported to be homeless and struggling with addiction, was also found hanging. Like in Reed’s case, his remains were sent to the state crime lab for autopsy, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the investigation is ongoing .

Local officials have not suggested any foul play and stress that his case is unrelated to the Delta State investigation . Still, the coincidence of timing has drawn wide attention.

Public Response and Broader Context

The discovery of two men found hanging in Mississippi on the same day shocked the state and quickly spread across national and international headlines .

Reed’s death, in particular, has been framed within the painful legacy of racial terror lynchings in the U.S., especially in Mississippi. For many, the image of a young Black man found hanging from a tree cannot be separated from the history of racial violence. Civil rights advocates insist that only a full, transparent investigation can provide legitimacy to the findings — whether suicide or foul play.

By contrast, Zukatis’s case has received less national attention but remains important to the Vicksburg community, particularly because of its tragic timing alongside Reed’s death.

What We Know — and Don’t Know

• Both men’s deaths are under active investigation. Autopsies are pending, with results expected to clarify the circumstances.

• Authorities say the cases are not linked. Separate agencies in Bolivar and Warren Counties are leading their respective investigations.

• No foul play has been confirmed in either case. Coroners in both counties have emphasized that preliminary exams show no signs of assault  .

Until autopsy results are released, both families — and the wider public — remain in painful uncertainty.

Honoring Two Lives

While the circumstances are still under review, what is clear is that two families are grieving profound losses.

Reed is remembered by his loved ones as a kind, gentle soul whose light touched everyone he met . Zukatis, though less publicly profiled, is mourned by family and friends who saw him struggle but also knew his humanity.

As Mississippi awaits answers, communities are united in grief, in vigilance against misinformation, and in demanding that these investigations be carried out with full transparency, accountability, and compassion.