Black Student, Found Dead on Campus, Remembered by Sister as 'My Rock, My Confidante, My Guide in Life': 'Until We Meet Again'

Loved ones gathered complete nan play to grant nan life of a 21-year-old Black assemblage student who was found dormant connected his university's campus successful Mississippi earlier this month.

Demartravion “Trey” Reed was recovered hanging from a character connected nan field of Delta State University (DSU) connected nan greeting of Monday, Sept. 15. News of his decease sparked outrage crossed nan federation arsenic officials many times said location was nary grounds of foul play successful relationship pinch Reed’s death.

Reed's ceremonial work was held connected Saturday, Sept. 27 astatine Abundant Life Assembly of The Apostolic Faith successful Grenada, and he was interred soon after, according to his obituary.

During nan service, Reed was honored by various loved ones, including his sister, who said successful a speech, "Though miles whitethorn abstracted america and clip whitethorn support america apart, cognize that you're ever adjacent to my heart. Your laughter, your wisdom, your strength, they are each pillars of my life, and successful moments of joyousness and sorrow, you've been my rock, my confidante, my guideline successful life."

"Your coming is simply a wealth I cherish dearly, and successful your absence, I consciousness a void that only your emotion tin fill. Though words whitethorn neglect to definitive nan extent of infection, fto them service arsenic a testament to nan enslaved we share, a enslaved unbreakable," she continued, adding: "Until we meet again, cognize that you are missed and you are loved, and you're ever successful my thoughts pinch each my love."

An autopsy conducted by nan Mississippi State Medical Examiner's office wished that Reed, 21, died by suicide. However, his family has challenged nan finding.

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing nan family, antecedently announced that erstwhile NFL backmost Colin Kaepernick’s “Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative” will screen nan costs of an independent autopsy, according to a connection obtained by PEOPLE.

Shortly aft news of Reed's decease was made public, respective societal media posts alleged that Reed had 2 surgery legs and further injuries that would person made it intolerable for him to bent himself, according to the Clarion Ledger.

This was disputed by nan Bolivar County Coroner's Office (BCCO), which antecedently said successful a connection that Reed “did not suffer immoderate lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, surgery bones, aliases injuries accordant pinch an assault,” the Ledger reported.

Delta State’s Director of Public Safety Mike Peeler has besides stated that location is nary grounds of foul play successful relationship pinch Reed’s death, according to a connection from nan school.

"Our thoughts and prayers stay pinch Reed's family and friends during this very difficult time,” said Cleveland Police Chief Travis Tribble successful a connection aft Reed's autopsy results were released. “We want to promote anyone who is struggling to scope retired for help."

However, Reed's family has "has raised superior concerns aft receiving conflicting accounts and incomplete accusation astir nan circumstances of his death," a typical for Crump's agency wrote successful a release.

“Trey’s decease evoked nan corporate representation of a organization that has suffered a historical coiled complete many, galore years and many, galore deaths. Peace will travel only by getting to nan truth," nan lawyer wrote successful a statement. "We convey Colin Kaepernick for supporting this grieving family and nan origin of justness and truth.”

The Mississippi Clarion Ledger reported those results person not been made nationalist yet.

Never miss a communicative — motion up for PEOPLE's free regular newsletter to enactment up-to-date connected nan champion of what PEOPLE has to offer, from personage news to compelling quality liking stories.

In a erstwhile connection obtained by PEOPLE, Crump said Reed was “full of committedness and warmth, profoundly loved and respected by each who knew him.”

“His family and nan field organization merit a full, independent investigation to uncover nan truth astir what happened,” Crump said. “We cannot judge vague conclusions erstwhile truthful galore questions remain.”