Autopsy Confirms Suicide in Delta State University Student's Death

An autopsy conducted by Mississippi's state medical examiner has concluded that the death of a 21-year-old Black student found hanging from a tree at Delta State University was a suicide, Cleveland police announced Thursday. The findings align with a preliminary examination by the Bolivar County coroner, which found no evidence of foul play.

The student's death, discovered early Monday, has evoked strong emotions in Mississippi, a state with a history of racial violence. Prior to the autopsy results, the student's family and their attorneys called for an independent autopsy and requested access to any security footage related to the incident. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has stated he will lead an independent investigation.

Cleveland police have not released further details from the autopsy but confirmed that the cause of death was hanging and the manner of death was ruled a suicide. Toxicology results are pending and may take several weeks. The investigation remains active, with evidentiary files shared with the FBI and federal prosecutors.

U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, has previously called for an FBI investigation into the matter.