The two University of Mississippi students who died in separate incidents amid an investigation involving suspected kratom exposure have been identified. The news comes only weeks after one student’s mother shared an emotional post celebrating his move to college.
The students were Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20. Both died Tuesday in or near the Ole Miss campus in Oxford, Mississippi.
Friends identified the men in comments to The Daily Mississippian. Hamilton was a freshman from Colorado, while Strang was a junior from Georgia.
Authorities were called to Stewart Hall, where officers performed CPR on Hamilton, according to the student newspaper.
Strang was later found dead at a house on Van Buren Avenue, an off-campus location, sources told the outlet.
Last month, Hamilton’s mother, Kathie, posted photos of her son inside his dorm room and outside the University of Mississippi campus.
She wrote that she and her husband, Peter, had officially become “empty nesters,” adding: “This is going to take some getting used to!!!!”
In a statement to Fox News, Scott Sayres, an attorney representing Strang’s family, said: “We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear son and are trying to process this unimaginable loss.”
Aidan Hamilton, pictured inside his dorm, was found at Stewart Hall, where officers attempted to revive him with CPR
Robert Strang appears in a post from the Ole Miss Phi Delt Alumni group featuring the fraternity’s 2026 rush chairs
“We are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of love, prayers and support from so many beloved friends and family members. Their kindness has meant more to our family than we can ever express.”
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Shawnboda Mead confirmed the students’ deaths on Tuesday.
As details began circulating online, Mead also addressed unverified claims that additional students could be missing.
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“We encourage our community not to speculate about the circumstances or repeat information that has not been officially confirmed,” she said.
The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit later said on social media that packaged kratom had been found during both death investigations.
Kratom is an unregulated herbal product that can have stimulant-like effects and is sometimes used for energy, pain relief or withdrawal management. In larger amounts, it can affect the body in ways similar to opioids.
Investigators said the kratom was purchased from an unnamed retail business. However, authorities have not determined whether kratom, another substance or a combination of substances contributed to the deaths.
Officials urged the public to avoid consuming kratom or any other substance that has not been prescribed or medically recommended by a qualified professional.
Strang’s family said they were “heartbroken by the loss of our dear son” as they worked to come to terms with his death
The Lyceum, the University of Mississippi’s oldest building, is shown on the Oxford campus
Officials said that kratom, pictured here, was found during both investigations into the deaths
‘Local, state, and federal partners are working collaboratively to gather the facts and provide answers as quickly and responsibly as possible,’ the agency said.
‘We are also working closely with the families involved and ask that their privacy be respected during an incredibly difficult time.’
Police also reminded the community that Narcan, an over-the-counter medication that reverses an opioid overdose, is available in vending machines across campus.
The university echoed the police, stating that their thoughts are with the friends, family, and loved ones of the two students.