Ole Miss Deaths: Kratom at Both Scenes Spurs Warning

Two Ole Miss students died the same day, and packaged kratom surfaced in both probes, prompting a warning even with no confirmed cause.

Two University of Mississippi students were found dead Monday — one on campus in Stewart Hall and the other off campus at a residence on Van Buren Avenue, according to The Oxford Eagle, which cited Lafayette County Coroner Glenn Coleman. The students were 18 and 20, both male out-of-state students whose names were withheld out of respect for the families. Authorities have not confirmed that any substance contributed to either death.

Lafayette County Metro Narcotics said packaged kratom sold from a retail store was found during both investigations, even though there is no confirmed evidence the deaths are connected. Kratom is the herbal extract from Mitragyna speciosa, a Southeast Asian tree that acts as a stimulant in small amounts and an opioid-like sedative in larger doses. Officials urged people to avoid kratom and any substance not prescribed or obtained from a trusted, regulated source.

Kratom is not illegal in Mississippi, though Oxford has banned sales of related products, per CNN. NBC News reports that Capt. Alex Fauver of Metro Narcotics said the kratom was found at each student's residence and complained about the drug's local prevalence. A study cited by CNN found a record 3,434 US kratom poisoning reports last year, up from 258 calls in 2015 — a spike of more than 1,200%.

The university confirmed the deaths Tuesday and warned of 'considerable unverified information' circulating on social media, with vice chancellor for student affairs Dr. Shawnboda Mead expressing condolences. NBC News reports the student editor-in-chief of The Daily Mississippian described a 'really frantic' campus mood, with black ribbons hung around fraternity and sorority houses. Fraternity and sorority social events were canceled for the rest of the week, The Oxford Eagle reported.

The FDA does not consider kratom lawfully marketed in the US as a drug, dietary supplement or food additive, per CNN, while the DEA lists it as a 'drug and chemical of concern.' Natural kratom is regulated in at least 22 states and banned in eight. CNN also notes signs of kratom poisoning include seizures, hallucinations, liver damage and dangerously high heart rate. Oxford has banned local sales, but products remain available in surrounding counties.

Autopsies and toxicology tests are underway, and Coroner Coleman said results could take two to three weeks, according to The Oxford Eagle. Investigators are treating the cases as separate inquiries with local, state and federal agencies involved, NBC News reports. Mississippi's One Pill Can Kill initiative continues on campus; the state attorney general says students were trained to administer Narcan just last week. Officials are asking the community not to speculate while facts remain unconfirmed.