Delta State University is investigating the death of a student who was found hanging from a tree on the Cleveland campus early Monday.

The student was a 21-year-old Black man from Grenada, Mississippi. Delta State released his name, but Mississippi Today is choosing not to do so pending the results of the investigation.

Col. Michael L. Peeler, director of public safety and police chief at Delta State, said his department was notified a body was found hanging from a tree in the central part of the campus at 7:05 a.m.

While he said there was no evidence of foul play, he asked the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department and the Cleveland Police Department to assist in the investigation.

Several scheduled events on campus were canceled.

See Full Page