Ole Miss students react to deaths of two classmates
By Nicholas Brooks
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UNIVERSITY, Miss. (WAPT) — Ole Miss students are mourning the deaths of two students who were found dead in separate locations in Oxford.
The students were 18 and 20 years old. One was found on campus, while the other was found off campus.
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics says packaged kratom sold at a retail store was found near both bodies. Investigators have not confirmed that kratom caused or contributed to either death.
For students, the deaths are hitting close to home.
Raven Tunstall, an Ole Miss student, said the news was especially shocking after a busy weekend on campus.
“So I think for us the big shock was that it was such a big weekend and everybody was celebrating and we didn’t think to come back to like such sad news of losing two classmates.”
Tunstall said the deaths are a reminder that students have their whole lives ahead of them.
“We have so much life ahead of us. You know, college is supposed to be where we grow and make new experiences. It’s not supposed to be where our lives end.”
What is kratom?
Kratom is a plant-based substance that can have stimulant and opioid-like effects. Its legal status and regulation vary by location.
Rankin County Sheriff’s Investigator Tyler Burrell said his agency has encountered kratom during searches of convenience stores.
Burrell warned that consumers may not know exactly what they are getting because kratom products are not FDA-approved.
“It’s a very, very dangerous drug, and if I can say so, it’s not being FDA regulated, then you really don’t know what you’re getting.”
Burrell said Rankin County has taken action because of concerns about the substance.
“We have banned it because of the fact that it poses great, great danger to our residents.”
Rankin County has an ordinance banning the possession, sale and distribution of kratom.
Meanwhile, investigators continue working to determine what happened in the deaths of the two Ole Miss students.
The identities of the students have not been released. Autopsies are being scheduled.
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