Toxicology reports for two University of Mississippi students who died on September 21 have been completed, officials confirmed on September 26.
The findings were delivered to the Lafayette County coroner and shared with the families of Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20, following their deaths. Both students were found with similar packages of kratom or synthetic kratom in their possession, according to court documents.
Hamilton’s cause of death was identified as pulmonary edema, consistent with a drug overdose. Strang was found cold to the touch when first responders arrived at his residence near campus. The specific products purchased by the students were labeled “Smax, Pseudo-DHM” tablets, described in court documents as a kratom-like substance sold at gas stations and tobacco shops for its narcotic-like effects.
Legal and Regulatory Response
The American Kratom Association is scheduled to hold a news conference criticizing the delay in publicly identifying the exact products linked to the deaths. The group asserts that these tablets “are not natural kratom leaf” and that consumers should have been explicitly warned about the products under investigation.
Meanwhile, two employees of Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store in Oxford—Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18—were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Court documents do not confirm whether the kratom found near Hamilton at the time of his death originated from this store.
Ongoing Investigations and Policy Debate
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety stated that the toxicology results will be reviewed by the coroner before a final determination is made. The case has reignited debates over kratom regulation, with advocacy groups on both sides of the issue calling for different approaches.
Proponents of stricter controls point to the cheapness, addictiveness, and widespread availability of kratom products, often referred to as “gas-station heroin.” Critics of unregulated sales argue that synthetic variants pose heightened risks due to inconsistent potency and untested chemical compositions.
Opponents of a ban, including the American Kratom Association, emphasize the need for consumer education and product labeling rather than prohibition. They highlight that natural kratom has been used traditionally in Southeast Asia and question whether synthetic derivatives should be treated the same as the plant-based substance.
Background on the Incident
Hamilton and Strang were found dead on the same day in separate locations near the Ole Miss campus. Their deaths occurred amid a broader discussion about the safety of over-the-counter herbal supplements and the role of local retailers in distributing substances with potential health risks.
Authorities have not publicly linked the arrests at Puffs Vape Store to the specific products found with the students. The investigation remains ongoing as officials await the coroner’s final determination.