Dr. Shawnboda Mead, vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Mississippi, has urged the Oxford campus community to refrain from spreading unconfirmed details about two student deaths that occurred on Monday.
“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,” she said in a statement. “We encourage our community not to speculate about the circumstances or repeat information that has not been officially confirmed.”
The deaths came at the close of a weekend when Ole Miss hosted rival Louisiana State University for a football game. The two students were discovered deceased at separate locations, according to the Oxford Police Department.
Investigators found packaged kratom at both scenes, the department confirmed. The herbal extract, derived from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, is sold at retail stores and can produce stimulant-like effects. Authorities have not determined whether the substance contributed to either death.
On Tuesday, Lafayette County Metro Narcotics issued its own statement addressing what it called “a significant amount of concern, speculation, and misinformation circulating regarding the deaths of two college-aged individuals yesterday.”
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, classmates, and loved ones affected by these tragic losses,” the unit wrote. “Law enforcement is currently conducting two separate death investigations. At this time, we have no confirmed evidence indicating that the two deaths are connected.”
The narcotics unit emphasized that packaged kratom sold from a retail store was found during both investigations. “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,” it added.
Dr. Mead noted in her statement that the Coroner’s Office had confirmed two student deaths and that University Police were “not aware of any additional student deaths,” She added that campus police remained in contact with local and state law enforcement as the causes of death remained under investigation.
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics indicated that “local, state, and federal partners are working collaboratively to gather the facts and provide answers as quickly and responsibly as possible.” The unit described supporting the victims’ families and determining the facts as its priority.
The agency also used its statement to highlight overdose prevention resources available in Oxford. “As a general community safety resource, free Narcan is available through vending machines on campus and at the downtown parking garage within the City of Oxford,” it shared. “Narcan can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and is available to members of the community at no charge.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration has documented cases of psychosis linked to kratom use, with addicted individuals reportedly experiencing hallucinations, delusion, and confusion. Additional documented effects include nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, tachycardia, vomiting, drowsiness, and loss of appetite.
The Ole Miss campus continues to grapple with the losses as multiple agencies pursue parallel investigations into how two students died within hours of each other during one of the university’s busiest weekends of the fall semester.