Mississippi police await autopsy results for Black student found hanged at university

"CLEVELAND, Miss. Mississippi police on Wednesday awaited autopsy results for a Black student found hanging from a tree at Delta State University, in a case that has ignited strong emotions in a state with a history of racist violence. The 21-year-old student was found near the campus pickleball courts early Monday. While police have said they saw no evidence of foul play, his family is demanding answers and has hired prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump."

"Campus police Chief Michael Peeler released little new information about the investigation at a news conference, calling the death an "isolated incident" and insisting there were no active threats to students and faculty. "Out of respect for those grieving, we ask for continued patience and compassion as this investigation proceeds," Peeler told reporters at the Delta State campus. The chief state medical examiner was conducting an autopsy Wednesday, and Peeler said preliminary findings should be released in a day or two."

"Peeler said the evidence includes video footage, but he would not say what it shows and where it came from, citing the ongoing investigation. Crump said in a statement Wednesday that police should allow the student's family to view any video police have gathered. He said he also plans to lead an investigation alongside civil rights groups that would include an independent autopsy."

A 21-year-old Black student was found hanging near Delta State University's pickleball courts early Monday. Law enforcement reported no evidence of foul play but awaited autopsy results from the chief state medical examiner. Campus police described the death as an "isolated incident" and said there were no active threats to students and faculty. Evidence collected includes video footage, which police have not publicly described. The student's family has demanded answers, retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, and called for access to any footage and an independent autopsy and investigation by civil rights groups.

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