Two Ole Miss Students Found Dead From Possible Overdose, Kratom Found At Both Scenes

Two University of Mississippi students died this week and packaged kratom was found during the separate death investigations, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

Authorities said they have not confirmed that kratom or any other substance was a contributing factor in either death.

Lafayette County Metro Narcotics said Tuesday that it has no information that the two deaths are linked.

“However, packaged Kratom sold from a retail store was found during both investigations,” it said in a statement.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we encourage everyone to avoid kratom and any other medication or substance that was not prescribed to you or obtained from a trusted, regulated source.”

The Ole Miss students have not been publicly identified by authorities.

Both were found dead Monday; one on campus, and the other in the city of Oxford, Mayor Robyn Tannehill said.

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I know Kratom is its own specific issue but there needs to be a discussion about the type of stuff gas station owners willingly sell at their stores.

Foreign packagers are importing goods into our country specifically designed to kill Americans and they target college towns. https://t.co/5SquE7SXeY

— Gabe Guidarini (@GabeGuidarini) September 23, 2026

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TWO OLE MISS STUDENTS FOUND DEAD.

Investigators say packaged kratom was found in both cases.

But officials stress: no proof yet that kratom caused either death—and no evidence the cases are connected.

Two families are grieving. The truth now matters more than the rumors.… pic.twitter.com/NaOuWPrb1B

— @PatriotVoice (@USA_Patriot_GOP) September 22, 2026

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Dr. Shawnboda Mead, the university’s vice chancellor for student affairs, announced the deaths of the unidentified students on Tuesday after the rumor mill dominated social media with unsubstantiated claims. Many users claimed that multiple students died after taking substances laced with cychlorphine, an extremely potent, unregulated synthetic opioid.

We are aware that considerable unverified information is circulating on social media and in the community regarding these recent student deaths,” Mead stated. “The Coroner’s Office has confirmed two student deaths and University Police are not aware of any additional student deaths. University Police remain in contact with local and state law enforcement and the causes of the two deaths are still under investigation.”

Lafayette Metro Narcotics added that the department has found no evidence that the two deaths are connected, although initial phases of the investigation revealed that packaged kratom sold from a retail store was discovered where both students had passed. Officials did not list kratom as the cause of death, but urged the public to avoid it for now,

“Out of an abundance of caution, we encourage everyone to avoid kratom and any other medication or substance that was not prescribed to you or obtained from a trusted, regulated source,” Lafayette Metro Narcotics stated.

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