Ole Miss Student Deaths Under Investigation; Kratom Found at Both Scenes
Authorities are investigating the suspicious deaths of two University of Mississippi students, one of whom has been identified as Robert Strang, a 20-year-old from Atlanta.
Two University of Mississippi students have been found dead under suspicious circumstances, prompting an investigation by the Lafayette County Narcotics Task Force. One of the deceased students has been identified by his family's attorney as Robert Strang, a 20-year-old from Atlanta.
"We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear son and are trying to process this unimaginable loss," Strang's family said in a statement released Thursday through their attorney. Strang was a junior at Ole Miss and served as a co-chairman for the fraternity Phi Delta Theta's 2026 Rush recruitment event, according to social media posts from the chapter.
The second victim, 18, has not yet been identified. Authorities believe this student was found in Stewart Hall, a male dormitory on the Ole Miss campus, while Strang was discovered at an off-campus home. It remains unclear if the two deaths are connected.
Packages of kratom, a substance sometimes referred to as "gas station heroin," were recovered at both locations. The specific role kratom may have played in either death is not yet clear, officials stated.
Foul play has not been ruled out in connection with the deaths, according to authorities. Students on campus have reportedly been warned about a synthetic opioid called cychlorphine, which may require multiple doses of Narcan for treatment and might not be detected by common drug-testing strips designed to find fentanyl.
Miles Wallace, the Lafayette County Coroner, previously confirmed to Fox News Digital that an 18-year-old was found in a dorm room and the 20-year-old was discovered at an off-campus residence. Both incidents are being investigated by the county's narcotics task force.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed that state investigators are assisting local authorities and will work to expedite toxicology reports for both victims. These reports typically take several weeks to complete.
No official cause or manner of death has been determined for either student as of Thursday morning. Students have been advised to avoid all drugs.