Technology and Science · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Investigates Two Ole Miss Student Deaths After Kratom Found
Two University of Mississippi students were found dead in separate locations in Oxford, Mississippi. Packaged kratom was recovered at both death sites during investigations.
How directly kratom is tied to the deaths.
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Newsweek
“Officials are warning the public while stressing that no link between kratom and the deaths has been established.”Read the original ↗
One stresses separate probes; the other foregrounds no established causal link.
Kratom, Two Separate Deaths
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics said it was investigating the deaths of two college-aged individuals who were found Monday near packaged kratom that had been purchased from a retail store, while law enforcement has not determined whether their deaths are related and is investigating the deaths separately. Ole Miss confirmed the deaths of two students and said campus police are currently not aware of any other student deaths, while investigators have not confirmed if kratom had been a factor in how they died.
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics told the public, "We ask our community to rely on information released through official sources as these investigations continue," as the agency said it will quickly issue an alert if any threat to public safety is identified. The University of Mississippi urged people to avoid kratom and any other substances or medication that were not prescribed to them by a trusted source, as it stressed that the causes of the two deaths are still under investigation.
Oxford Community Urged
Lafayette County coroner Glenn Coleman told the Clarion Ledger that one student was an 18-year-old male found inside his dorm on campus and the other was a 20-year-old male found in his home off campus. Clarion Ledger quoted Coleman saying, "I encourage everyone to keep the families in their prayers," as the coroner said autopsies and toxicology tests are scheduled and toxicology results are expected to be completed in two-to-three weeks.
Shawnboda Mead, vice-chancellor for student affairs, told the Clarion Ledger that the University Police Department is "not aware of any additional student deaths," and Mead said University Police remain in contact with local and state law enforcement. Lafayette County Metro Narcotics urged the public to avoid speculation and to rely on official findings, and the agency said it does "not have confirmed information indicating that kratom or any other substance was a contributing factor in either death."
Narcan, Public Health Stakes
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said her office has "trained Ole Miss students on how to administer Narcan and provided students with the tools they need to help save a life in the event of an overdose," as officials pushed overdose-prevention outreach alongside the ongoing investigations. Fitch’s office also said, "We have reached out to our partners, including the Magee Center and HarborPath, to surge the resources and information needed to stop these tragic deaths," as the state sought to expand support for students and families.
The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics team said packaged kratom sold from a retail store was found during both death investigations, while the agency maintained that authorities have not confirmed evidence linking the two deaths. The Clarion Ledger reported that the narcotics team reminded the public that "free Narcan is available through vending machines on campus and at the downtown parking garages within the City of Oxford," as officials continued to urge people to avoid kratom and other unprescribed substances.