2 Ole Miss students found dead on campus, officials say

OXFORD, Miss. (WMC/Gray News) – Authorities are investigating the deaths of two University of Mississippi students.

Police responded to a dorm Monday for a possible overdose.

Officials haven’t confirmed if the two deaths are connected or what caused the students’ deaths, but there are reports that kratom may have been involved.

Kratom is marketed to help with pain and anxiety, but medical professionals say it mimics hard drugs like heroin and oxycodone.

Kratom is not FDA-approved, meaning it is sold without regulation — something that has worried experts for more than a decade.

“There’s the possibility of contamination, alteration, so we really don’t know what we’re putting in our system and especially when it’s sold without any clear proof that it’s being monitored,” Dr. Evelyn Benitez said.

Kratom was made illegal this summer in Tennessee and had already been banned in Arkansas.

The drug isn’t illegal statewide in Mississippi, but cities like Oxford put in place their own bans years ago.

The University of Mississippi released the following statement to Action News 5:

“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.

We are aware that considerable unverified information is circulating on social media and in the community regarding these recent student deaths. 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.

We encourage our community not to speculate about the circumstances or repeat information that has not been officially confirmed. We appreciate your understanding and support for our campus community during this difficult time.”

Just last week, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch posted to social media, stating her office has “trained students at The University of Mississippi - Ole Miss on how to administer Narcan and provided students with the tools they need to help save a life in the event of an overdose.”

On Tuesday, Fitch’s office provided a statement following the deaths:

“One Pill Can Kill is not just a slogan. It’s a fact. It is why we have worked so hard with universities to raise awareness about fake pills, to spread Narcan as far and wide as possible, and to train students on what to do if someone is overdosing. We have reached out to our partners, including the Magee Center and HarborPath, to surge the resources and information needed to stop these tragic deaths. Our prayers are with the families and friends already impacted.”

In July, the City of Oxford installed a Narcan vending machine to expand life-saving resources and to offer recovery support.

Since installation, the machine has dispensed 865 products — 550 of those Narcan and 147 fentanyl test strips.

Since Thursday, people have pulled Narcan 80 times and fentanyl test strips 24 times.

Jared Foster, owner of The Velvet Ditch in downtown Oxford, said he’s stocking free Narcan, fentanyl test strips and CPR mouth barriers in vending machines inside his restaurant and its women’s restroom.

Foster expects 30 more boxes of supplies Thursday. He calls it his mission to keep Oxford’s students and everyone else safe.

Narcotics investigators are dealing with the cases individually.