Two University of Mississippi students were found dead on Monday under circumstances that have shaken the Oxford campus and prompted investigations by local, state, and federal authorities. Packaged kratom was recovered at both locations during the separate death inquiries, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics stated that investigators have not confirmed kratom or any other substance as a contributing factor in either death. The two cases are being treated as unrelated and there is no confirmed connection between them.
One student was found dead on the Ole Miss campus while the other was discovered elsewhere in the city of Oxford, according to Mayor Robyn Tannehill. Neither student has been publicly identified by authorities.
Capt. Alex Fauver, commander of the Metro Narcotics unit, said the kratom found at each student’s residence appeared to have been purchased from a retail store. He noted that while kratom is banned under local ordinance in Oxford, it remains legally available in surrounding counties.
Law enforcement officials are urging the public to avoid kratom and any substance not prescribed by a licensed physician. Officials also warned against spreading unverified information, noting that significant misinformation was already circulating online.
Kratom is derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia and has grown in popularity across the United States as an unapproved remedy for pain, anxiety, and drug withdrawal. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a drug and chemical of concern, and the Mayo Clinic has labeled it unsafe and ineffective.
The substance can produce stimulating or sedating effects depending on dosage and has been linked to a small number of deaths, though most cases involved other substances as well. It is not federally banned and is commonly sold at gas stations and online retailers.
The mood on the Ole Miss campus was described as deeply unsettled following the news. Raegan Settle, editor-in-chief of the student newspaper The Daily Mississippian, said students were visibly shaken and that many Greek organizations were hanging black ribbons outside their houses in mourning.
Greek life organizations have also been actively reminding members to avoid taking any substance not specifically prescribed to them by a doctor.
The University of Mississippi released a statement expressing grief over the losses. “The University is heartbroken by the recent loss of two students and extends our condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time” the university said. Authorities confirmed no other students or community members have been affected.