The Ole Miss community is mourning the loss of two students found dead on Monday, with the same opioid-like substance reportedly found at both scenes.
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Authorities found packaged kratom where both University of Mississippi students were discovered dead on Sept. 21. However, the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics team said they believed the cases were unrelated.
"Law enforcement is currently conducting two separate death investigations. At this time, we have no confirmed evidence indicating that the two deaths are connected," the department explained yesterday.
The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics squad added that it does "not have confirmed information indicating that kratom or any other substance was a contributing factor in either death."
Kratom has been in the headlines recently. Veteran musician Brian Setzer claimed earlier this year that he became dependent on the substance. The over-the-counter herbal tonic has been deemed "unsafe and ineffective" by the Mayo Clinic. It is a controlled substance in several states.
Per Mississippi Today, kratom is sold legally in some parts of the state. However, the substance is restricted within Lafayette County, where Ole Miss is located.
Meanwhile, police have not released the identity of the two students. One of the students was discovered on campus. The other was found in the city of Oxford, according to NBC News.
Ole Miss Campus Shocked After Two Students Found
"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," the University of Mississippi said in a statement.
Tributes for the students can be found about the campus.
"Many students are hanging black ribbons around their sorority and fraternity houses as we speak," senior Raegan Settle told NBC News. "So, I think people are just really shocked."
She added that campus organizations are urging students not to take anything their doctors didn't prescribe to them.
The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics also urged the public not to speculate on the cause of the deaths of the two students.
"We ask the public to avoid speculation regarding the circumstances or cause of either death while these investigations remain ongoing," the agency said. "We understand that uncertainty can create fear and rumors."
The two students' deaths are under investigation separately by local, state, and federal authorities.
