Mississippi store clerk, son charged in illegal kratom sales tied to Ole Miss deaths

Mississippi store clerk, son charged in illegal kratom sales tied to Ole Miss deaths

Health Society

Federal prosecutors in Mississippi on October 2 charged a local vape shop clerk and his 18-year-old son with possession with intent to distribute illegal kratom linked to the deaths of two University of Mississippi students. The two students, an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old, were found dead on September 21 in separate locations on the Oxford campus. University of Mississippi officials said packaged kratom was recovered from both rooms, though toxicology results have not yet established a causal link.

State authorities later seized more than 500 kratom units and arrested the clerk and his son after linking the sales to the victims. The investigation began after the deaths were reported, and the Department of Public Safety said autopsy reports will be released to families in due course.

Actors

Lafayette County coroner University of Mississippi Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch City of Oxford

Locations

Stewart Hall, Oxford, Mississippi, United States Oxford, Mississippi, United States Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States

Articles

October 02, 2026
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Mississippi store clerk and son charged in illegal kratom sales linked to Ole Miss student deaths
Mississippi store clerk and son charged in illegal kratom sales linked to Ole Miss student deaths

CBS News • 02 Oct 22:19

Federal prosecutors have charged a store clerk and his 18-year-old son with possession with intent to distribute illegal kratom after the drug was found in the rooms of two University of Mississippi students who died in September.

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Mississippi vape shop clerks charged federally after linking student purchases to deaths
Mississippi vape shop clerks charged federally after linking student purchases to deaths

New York Post • 02 Oct 13:44

Two Oxford, Mississippi vape store employees have been charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance after investigators linked their sales to two University of Mississippi students who later died.

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October 01, 2026
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Oxford vape shop clerks charged in deaths of two Ole Miss students over kratom sales
Oxford vape shop clerks charged in deaths of two Ole Miss students over kratom sales

Newser • 01 Oct 14:53

Two employees of a vape shop near the University of Mississippi have been arrested on federal drug charges linked to the deaths of two students who were found with suspected kratom products.

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September 30, 2026
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Mississippi officials say toxicology reports for two Ole Miss deaths will be completed in due course
Mississippi officials say toxicology reports for two Ole Miss deaths will be completed in due course

Fox News • 30 Sep 15:07

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said the autopsy results for two University of Mississippi students who died on Sept. 21 will be finalized soon, with families receiving the findings first.

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September 29, 2026
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Ole Miss students' deaths tied to illegal kratom sold at Oxford smoke shop
Ole Miss students' deaths tied to illegal kratom sold at Oxford smoke shop

New York Post • 29 Sep 12:13

Two University of Mississippi students died within days of each other after purchasing illegal kratom products from a local smoke shop that was later raided by law enforcement.

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September 25, 2026
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Mississippi police seize kratom and arrest two men after deaths of Ole Miss students
Mississippi police seize kratom and arrest two men after deaths of Ole Miss students

NBC News • 25 Sep 18:57

Mississippi authorities seized more than 500 kratom units and arrested two men following the deaths of two University of Mississippi students in which kratom was found at the scene.

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September 24, 2026
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University of Mississippi identifies two students who died amid kratom investigations
University of Mississippi identifies two students who died amid kratom investigations

NBC News • 24 Sep 19:40

The University of Mississippi named the two undergraduate students who died earlier this week and noted that packaged kratom was found at both scenes, though officials say no causal link has been established.

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Investigation into Ole Miss student deaths focuses on kratom
Investigation into Ole Miss student deaths focuses on kratom

WSB-TV • 24 Sep 17:27

Authorities are investigating the deaths of two University of Mississippi students, with a retail kratom package found at both scenes, while families and classmates mourn the losses.

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University of Mississippi identifies two students found dead amid ongoing investigation
University of Mississippi identifies two students found dead amid ongoing investigation

Fox News • 24 Sep 16:34

The University of Mississippi confirmed the identities of two students who died under suspicious circumstances, while authorities continue to investigate possible drug involvement.

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Ole Miss investigates two student deaths; kratom found at both scenes
Ole Miss investigates two student deaths; kratom found at both scenes

Fox News • 24 Sep 10:00

University of Mississippi officials are probing two separate deaths of male students, ages 18 and 20, after packaged kratom was recovered at each location, while a student reports being drugged at a local bar.

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September 23, 2026
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Mississippi authorities investigate deaths of two Ole Miss students amid drug findings
Mississippi authorities investigate deaths of two Ole Miss students amid drug findings

Fox News • 23 Sep 19:12

Two University of Mississippi students were found dead in separate locations; investigators have recovered packaged kratom at both scenes and are conducting separate inquiries while toxicology results are pending.

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September 22, 2026
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Kratom discovered at residences of two Ole Miss students who died in separate investigations
Kratom discovered at residences of two Ole Miss students who died in separate investigations

NBC News • 22 Sep 21:32

University of Mississippi authorities said packaged kratom was found at the homes of two students who died this week, though officials have not linked the substance to the fatalities.

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Two University of Mississippi students found dead as police investigate separate kratom-related cases
Two University of Mississippi students found dead as police investigate separate kratom-related cases

Fox News • 22 Sep 20:07

Authorities are investigating the deaths of two University of Mississippi students found at different locations; packaged kratom was recovered at both scenes, though its role remains unconfirmed.

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Two University of Mississippi students die as investigation begins, kratom found in evidence
Two University of Mississippi students die as investigation begins, kratom found in evidence

WAFB • 22 Sep 18:52

University of Mississippi officials confirmed the deaths of two students while investigators found packaged kratom among the evidence; causes of death remain unknown.

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Two University of Mississippi students die as investigation begins, kratom found in evidence
Two University of Mississippi students die as investigation begins, kratom found in evidence

Action News 5 • 22 Sep 18:52

University of Mississippi officials confirmed the deaths of two students while investigators found packaged kratom among the evidence; causes of death remain unknown.

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