Kaepernick Backs Independent Autopsy for Mississippi Student

Colin Kaepernick has pledged to fund a second, independent autopsy for 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed of Delta State University on Friday, challenging the state medical examiner’s suicide ruling.

The former NFL quarterback’s Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative will cover all costs as Reed’s family, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, disputes the finding and seeks clarity amid community outcry.

Initiative Aims for Transparency

The Autopsy Initiative, launched in 2020, provides free, independent autopsies for families alleging unanswered questions in their loved ones’ deaths. Reed’s relatives say initial reports omitted key details about how he was found hanging on campus.

Timeline of Events

• September 15: Reed was discovered hanging from a tree near Delta State’s pickleball courts; university classes were canceled immediately.
• September 18: The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a suicide by hanging, with no signs of foul play.
• September 19: Kaepernick’s team announced that his initiative will finance a second autopsy as Reed’s family demands a comprehensive review.

Family’s Concerns and Official Response

Reed’s family has questioned inconsistencies, including conflicting accounts of where and how he was found. Attorney Crump stated, “Trey’s death evoked the collective memory of a community that has suffered a historic wound … Peace will come only by getting to the truth”.

University and state investigators maintain there is no evidence of assault, and the case files have been forwarded to the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office for further review.

Broader Impact

Kaepernick’s involvement underscores ongoing debates about racial justice and institutional transparency in Mississippi. The outcome of the independent autopsy could influence both the official determination of Reed’s cause of death and future protocols for campus investigations.