CLEVELAND, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi police are currently awaiting autopsy results for a Black student found hanging from a tree near the Delta State University campus, a tragic incident that has sparked outrage and emotional turmoil in a state with a troubled history of racist violence. The 21-year-old student was discovered early Monday morning, close to the campus pickleball courts. Though authorities have stated that there is no evidence of foul play, the victim’s family is demanding clarity and has enlisted the help of renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
During a press conference, Delta State campus police Chief Michael Peeler provided limited information regarding the ongoing investigation, labeling the death an “isolated incident.” He emphasized that there are no current threats to the safety of students and faculty on campus. “Out of respect for those grieving, we ask for continued patience and compassion as this investigation proceeds,” Peeler urged reporters on the Delta State campus.
The chief state medical examiner began conducting an autopsy on Wednesday, with preliminary findings expected to be available within a day or two. Peeler confirmed that investigators have gathered video footage related to the case, but he refrained from disclosing specific details about its contents, citing the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
In a statement released Wednesday, attorney Ben Crump insisted that authorities should grant the student's family access to any video evidence collected. He announced plans to conduct an independent investigation in collaboration with civil rights organizations, which will include an independent autopsy. “We are taking every step to uncover the truth about what happened,” Crump stated. Family members have also sought more information from university officials during a press conference held on Tuesday.
Vanessa Jones, another attorney representing the family, emphasized that the student had recently begun classes at Delta State this fall and was described as “full of life, eager to be there.” Jones expressed frustration over the lack of surveillance footage, stating, “There should have been cameras at the university that easily could enlighten us as to what happened.” She added that there should be visual records of the student’s movements from the moment he exited his dorm room.
Amidst swirling rumors regarding the condition of the student’s body, Bolivar County Coroner Randolph Seals Jr. issued a statement disputing claims that the student was found with broken limbs. After conducting a preliminary examination, Seals confirmed that there were no signs of lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, or injuries indicative of an assault. However, he did not respond immediately to inquiries from The Associated Press.
Delta State President Dan Ennis addressed the emotional aspects surrounding the incident, acknowledging, “We recognize this is not only about facts. It’s about emotions and feelings and the way this loss and how it was discovered affects people’s lives.” The case has generated significant discourse on social media, reminding many of the harrowing history of racial violence in the U.S., including the infamous lynching of Emmett Till, whose body was discovered just 30 miles from the Delta State campus.
Marquon McKinney, a fellow student at Delta State, shared the impact of the death on the campus community. He noted, “Everybody’s upset right now,” expressing concern that university officials may be downplaying the severity of the situation. McKinney recounted receiving a phone call from his mother during class on Monday, checking on his well-being before he was aware of the tragic news.
Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, near the Arkansas state line, Delta State University has a fall 2024 enrollment of over 2,600 students, 42% of whom identify as Black. In light of the incident, U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, has called for an FBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
