Not One, But Two Men Were Found Hanging in Mississippi
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9/16/20253 min read
Not One, But Two Men Were Found Hanging in Mississippi
By Maurice Woodson
On Monday, September 15, 2025, Mississippi was shaken by two separate tragedies. Within hours of each other, the bodies of 21-year-old student Demartravion “Trey” Reed and 36-year-old Cory Zukatis were found hanging from trees in different cities. While officials are treating both cases as death investigations, the timing, manner of death, and Mississippi’s fraught history with racial violence have drawn public concern.
The Death of Demartravion “Trey” Reed
At about 7:05 a.m., Delta State University police received reports of a body near the campus pickleball courts in Cleveland, Mississippi. The body of Trey Reed, a 21-year-old student from Grenada, was discovered hanging from a tree.
Delta State University Police Chief Michael Peeler told reporters there was “no evidence of foul play at this time.” The Bolivar County Deputy Coroner, Murray Roark, went further to dispel rumors circulating online: “There were no broken arms or legs, no compound fractures, no lacerations or contusions.”
Reed’s body was transported for autopsy at the State Crime Lab. The case is being investigated by multiple agencies, including the Delta State University Police Department, Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the coroner’s office.
Delta State responded by canceling classes and centennial celebrations scheduled for that day. In a statement, the university expressed condolences and emphasized the availability of counseling:
“The entire Delta State University family mourns the loss of one of our own. We are offering full support to our students, faculty, and staff as we process this tragedy together.”
The Death of Cory Zukatis
Roughly three hours later, another discovery came in. Around 10:30 a.m., the body of a homeless white man, Cory Zukatis, 36, of Brandon, was found hanging from a tree in a wooded area near the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey confirmed the identity, and Vicksburg Police Capt. Curtis Judge said the case is being treated as a death investigation. “The family has been notified, and we are awaiting autopsy results,” Judge stated.
Unlike Reed’s case, fewer details about Zukatis’ condition have been made public. Authorities have not released information about physical injuries or circumstances beyond the discovery itself.
Community Concerns
The fact that two men were found hanging in Mississippi on the same day has alarmed communities across the state. Many recall that Mississippi, more than any other state, carries a long and painful legacy of lynching and racial terror.
Civil rights historians note that public hangings of Black men were once used to enforce white supremacy through fear and violence. Even in the modern era, when such cases are ruled suicides, communities often remain skeptical.
“There is a deep mistrust because of history,” said one community organizer in Jackson. “When a young Black man is found hanging, people will always question whether it was truly suicide or something more sinister.”
Reed’s family has already asked for a “full and transparent investigation,” and local advocates have echoed that demand. The timing of the two cases—occurring within hours of one another—has only heightened anxieties.
Comparing the Two Cases
While unrelated, the parallels are striking:
Both men were found hanging from trees on the same day.
Both cases are under active investigation, with no evidence of foul play publicly confirmed so far.
Autopsies are pending in both deaths, which will provide the most definitive answers.
Yet there are differences, too. Reed’s death occurred in a high-profile location—on a university campus—prompting an immediate institutional response. Zukatis’ body was found in a wooded area near a casino, and so far the public reporting has been more limited.
Mississippi’s Shadowed History
From 1882 to 1968, Mississippi recorded more lynchings of Black people than any other state, according to the NAACP. Though these two recent cases are not confirmed to be linked to racial violence, the imagery of a body hanging from a tree in Mississippi still resonates with historical trauma.
Legal experts say this context explains why authorities face pressure to be transparent. “Even when evidence points to suicide, the historical backdrop means investigators must go above and beyond to prove thoroughness,” one Mississippi-based civil rights attorney explained.
Waiting for Answers
For now, the Reed and Zukatis families are left in mourning, and two communities are left searching for answers. The autopsy results will be key to determining cause and manner of death in both cases.
What is certain is that two men—Demartravion “Trey” Reed and Cory Zukatis—lost their lives on the same September morning in Mississippi. Until the investigations conclude, grief and questions linger in equal measure.
New information will be posted as we learn it.