The University of Mississippi is currently the subject of a local narcotics investigation following the deaths of two students. According to reports from the local narcotics team, investigators discovered kratom at the scenes of both incidents. Kratom is an herbal supplement derived from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia; while it is legal in many jurisdictions, it contains alkaloids that interact with the body's opioid receptors, leading to concerns from health officials regarding its safety and potential for misuse.

While the presence of the substance has been confirmed by law enforcement, the exact role it played in the students' deaths remains unclear. Toxicology reports are typically required to determine whether the substance was a contributing factor or merely present at the scene. The university has not yet released specific details regarding the identities of the students or the timeline of the investigations, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry. The local narcotics team is leading the investigation to determine if the substance was linked to the cause of death or if other factors were involved. As of now, authorities have not released a definitive cause of death for either student, and the investigation remains active.