An investigation into the deaths of two Ole Miss students is underway.
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.
“We do not have confirmed information indicating that kratom or any other substance was a contributing factor in either death. We ask the public to avoid speculation regarding the circumstances or cause of either death while these investigations remain ongoing.”
Authorities said they’re working to gather relevant information and thoroughly assess these deaths as quickly as possible for the safety of the public. They asked the public to do its part by dismissing unverified information spreading online and only getting updates from verified outlets.
In the meantime, Ole Miss is offering counseling and other support services to students at this time. 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. Narcan can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
This is a developing story.
