Oxford police are pushing back against an Ole Miss student’s claim that law enforcement dismissed her after she reported being drugged at a local bar.
A video from freshman Mary Harvey circulated online after national outlets picked it up. In the video, Harvey claimed that she remembered nothing after watching the Rebels defeat LSU in football on Saturday night. The student said a witness told her that she fell down in the bar, was picked up by bouncers, and tossed to the street curb by herself.
Harvey added that her mother reportedly told her that two females found her on the curb and intervened. The unidentified females are said to have called the student’s mother first, then the police. When Oxford police officers arrived, Harvey said they put her alone in the back seat of an Uber and sent her to her dorm. Once at her dorm, Harvey said the Uber driver had to find other students to help her get into her room and into bed.
The student said that after she was brought to her room, her roommate later discovered that she was no longer in bed. Harvey was reportedly found lying on the floor in the dorm’s hallway. Beyond her account of what happened that night, Harvey insisted that she had been drugged and that police did not take her case seriously, and that she has not been able to access video footage from her dorm.
Her remarks followed the deaths of two Ole Miss students — 20-year-old Robert Strang and 18-year-old Aidan Hamilton. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of their deaths. Gov. Tate Reeves confirmed Thursday that the state is working with local officials to expedite the autopsy and toxicology process, but in a manner that doesn’t compromise the accuracy of the results.
“I have asked multiple times. I have tried multiple times to get the camera footage, and nobody will let me see it,” Harvey said. “It is so bad. Oxford is getting terrible, and it’s such a pretty place, but it shouldn’t be like this. People should feel safe here and want to live here. But, as of now, I don’t feel safe in my own dorm building.”
Two Ole Miss students found dead in separate incidents — and packaged kratom was recovered at both scenes.
Authorities say they haven’t confirmed whether kratom or any other substance played a role in either death. One victim, 18, was found in a dorm room. The other, 20, was… pic.twitter.com/A6ZB0BWBXv
— Fox News US (@FoxUSNews) September 24, 2026
As for Harvey’s remarks, the Oxford Police Department said her story does not add up. In a press release, the department looked to give its account of what occurred that night.
“First and foremost, we take any allegation involving a suspected drug-facilitated assault, drink tampering, or sexual assault seriously,” OPD stated. “Anyone who believes they may have been victimized is encouraged to contact law enforcement so that we can investigate, preserve available evidence, and connect that person with appropriate resources. OPD has been reviewing the incident, including available body-worn camera footage and city camera footage.”
Police said Harvey did not tell officers that her drink had been tampered with, that she had been assaulted, or that a crime had occurred when she spoke with them. Authorities further added that they checked on her well-being, and after she indicated that she was intoxicated, they stayed with her throughout the entire encounter, giving water in the process.
Officials said they spoke with one of Harvey’s family members, helped arrange transportation, and remained with her until a driver had arrived. And, in the vehicle, were two other people.
“The available video does not support the statement that she was abandoned or left alone by our officers,” OPD added. “Before she departed, she was able to communicate where she needed to go, and officers worked to ensure she had transportation to a safe location. She was not placed into an empty vehicle by herself; a middle-aged couple was also present, and the female rideshare driver was in communication with her family during the process.”
Oxford police contended that, contrary to the student’s allegation that her situation was treated “as a joke,” officers went above and beyond to accommodate her and ensure she made it to a safe location. Instead of neglecting her case, police said they are actively investigating a report Harvey filed with the department on Sept. 21, two days after she was allegedly drugged.
“We began investigating based on the information provided. We are continuing to review available video in an effort to establish her movements prior to the officers’ encounter and determine what additional information exists,” OPD continued. “Our investigators are also in contact with her. Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remains ongoing.”
SuperTalk Mississippi News has reached out to the city of Oxford for video footage linked to Harvey’s allegations. More information will be provided when made available.
