OXFORD, MS — The University of Mississippi confirmed that two students died and notified the campus community in an email sent Sept. 22. The students have not been publicly identified, and law enforcement is still investigating the causes of death.
Officials said the deaths are believed to have occurred sometime between Friday, Sept. 18, and Monday, Sept. 21, although the exact times have not been confirmed. Lafayette County Coroner Glenn Coleman said one of the students was an 18-year-old male and the other was 20 years old.
One student was found in a dorm on campus, while the other was found at an off-campus home, according to reporting by the Clarion Ledger. University leaders said they are working with local, state and federal agencies as the investigation continues.
University leaders push back against rumors spreading online
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead addressed rumors circulating on social media and in campus conversations. In the email to students and staff, Mead said the university was aware of widespread unverified claims about the number of deaths and possible causes.
Mead said the coroner’s office had confirmed two student deaths and that University Police were not aware of any additional deaths. The statement was aimed at cutting through speculation that had spread in Facebook groups, message boards and other online spaces.
University officials did not provide names or say what specifically caused either death. Instead, they emphasized that the investigations remain active and that unconfirmed information should not be treated as fact while authorities continue their work.
Investigators say no link has been confirmed between the deaths
The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit said in a Sept. 22 statement that there is no confirmed evidence showing the two deaths are connected. Even so, the unit warned residents to be careful about substances that are not prescribed or obtained from a regulated source.
Officials said packaged kratom sold from a retail store was found during both investigations. The unit has not confirmed that kratom or any other substance contributed to either death, but it urged the public to avoid kratom and other unprescribed drugs out of caution.
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics also said it will release information through official channels if it identifies a threat to public safety. For now, investigators have not said whether the cases share any common cause.
Kratom draws warning after the deaths
Kratom is an herbal extract that can act as a stimulant in small amounts and a sedative in larger doses, according to the Mayo Clinic. In Oxford, the sale of synthetic kratom was banned in 2019, though in other Mississippi communities where kratom is legal, it can be sold at convenience stores, CBD shops and specialized smoke and vape stores.
After the student deaths, the narcotics unit said the public should avoid kratom and any medication or substance that was not prescribed or came from an untrusted source. Investigators stopped short of saying kratom played any role in the deaths.
The warning reflects a broader concern from local officials about the risks tied to unfamiliar or unregulated products. At this stage, however, the case remains under investigation and no cause has been announced.
Greek organizations circulate overdose warnings and Narcan guidance
Several fraternities and sororities at the university sent notices to members about cychlorphine, a powerful synthetic opioid that does not appear on standard fentanyl test strips. The messages encouraged students to avoid unprescribed substances and to respond quickly if an overdose is suspected.
The guidance told members that Narcan, also known as naloxone, can reverse the effects of an overdose and that multiple doses may be needed because of the drug’s potency. The notices also said emergency personnel and health agencies stress that naloxone should be given immediately when an overdose occurs.
Law enforcement has not confirmed that cychlorphine was involved in the student deaths. The warnings were shared as a precaution while concern spread across campus and among Greek organizations.
Campus events are being canceled as the community mourns
In response to the deaths, several Greek organizations canceled social events scheduled for this week. Rafters, a bar on the Oxford Square, also closed for the evening out of respect for the students and their families.
The university said support is available through the University Counseling Center and UMatter for students who need help coping with the news. Officials did not provide further details about the students or the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Daily Mississippian said it is updating its coverage as more information becomes available. For now, university and law enforcement officials are asking the community to rely on confirmed information rather than rumors.
