Two University of Mississippi students were found dead on Monday, with packaged kratom discovered during separate death investigations, according to law enforcement officials. Authorities have not confirmed that kratom or any other substance played a role in either death. Lafayette County Metro Narcotics emphasized that the two deaths are being treated as separate investigations and there is no known connection between them. The agency also urged the public to avoid using kratom or any other substances unless prescribed by a healthcare provider or obtained from a trusted, regulated source. The students were found in different locations—one on campus and the other in the city of Oxford—according to Mayor Robyn Tannehill. The University of Mississippi expressed its condolences for the loss of the students and offered support to their families, friends, and loved ones. Local, state, and federal authorities are working together to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Kratom is a substance derived from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree and has gained some popularity in the U.S. as an unapproved remedy for pain, anxiety, and drug withdrawal. It is often sold at gas stations or online and can have either stimulating or sedating effects depending on the dose. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists kratom as a “drug and chemical of concern” but it is not currently banned at the federal level. The Mayo Clinic has described kratom as unsafe and ineffective, noting that nearly all deaths linked to kratom also involved other drugs or substances. Kratom has been banned in the city of Oxford, Mississippi, though it can be purchased in surrounding counties. Capt. Alex Fauver of the Metro Narcotics unit said kratom was found at each student’s residence and emphasized that it has no recognized medical use. Authorities noted that there have been no other student deaths or community members affected. They urged the public not to speculate and acknowledged the spread of unverified information online. Lafayette County Metro Narcotics mentioned that there was a “significant amount of concern, speculation, and misinformation circulating” about the deaths.