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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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The parents of two University of Mississippi students who were found dead this week have paid tribute amid what one family called a "time of great loss."
Aidan Hamilton, 18, from Colorado and Robert Strang, 20, from Atlanta were named as the two students found dead when law enforcement were called on Monday. The students were found in different locations, one on campus and the other off campus.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear son, Robert, and are trying to process this unimaginable loss," the Strang family said in a statement shared with Newsweek. "We are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of love, prayers and support by so many beloved friends and family. Their kindness has meant more to our family than we can ever express."
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The Hamilton family said in another statement: "Aidan was a bright, wonderful young man who was taken too soon. He is greatly missed. We thank everyone for their prayers and support and ask that you respect our family’s privacy during this time of great loss."
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Ole Miss Reacts
As news of the deaths and the identity of the young men became clear this week, members of the University of Mississippi community have shared their condolences and reactions.
Olivia Claire Williford, the student body president at the University of Mississippi, told Newsweek: "Students have really leaned on one another during this incredibly difficult time. I see students checking in on their friends, supporting those who are grieving, and being very intentional about looking out for each other."
She added that student safety is "one of our highest priorities," and that the events of this week had encouraged important conversations among the student body about taking care of themselves and others.
Robert Strang was a member of Phi Delta Theta, a men's fraternity at the University of Mississippi known on campus as Phi Delt, who have paid tribute to him in a statement shared with Newsweek.
"Phi Delta Theta is deeply saddened by the passing of our brother, Robert Strang, a member of the Mississippi Alpha Chapter at the University of Mississippi," Phi Delta Theta said. "The loss of two young lives is a profound tragedy. Phi Delta Theta joins the University of Mississippi and the broader Ole Miss community in mourning Robert and Aidan Hamilton and extending our deepest sympathies to their families, friends, chapter brothers, classmates, and all those who knew and loved them."
On Tuesday, Dr. Shawnboda Mead, the vice chancellor for student affairs, shared a statement on X: "The University is heartbroken by the recent loss of two students and extends our condolences to their families, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.
"We are aware that considerable unverified information is circulating on social media and in the community regarding these recent student deaths. The Coroner's Office has confirmed two student deaths, and University Police are not aware of any additional student deaths. University Police remain in contact with local and state law enforcement and the causes of the two deaths are still under investigation."
She added: "We encourage our community not to speculate about the circumstances or repeat information that has not been officially confirmed. We appreciate your understanding and support for our campus community during this difficult time."
Authorities Issue Drug Warning
The deaths occurred following a busy weekend for the college as the Ole Miss Rebels beat LSU Tigers 32-24 on Saturday night. The Oxford Police Department released a statement on Monday afternoon that crowds had been "well behaved" and the weekend a success.
While the cause of the deaths has not yet been confirmed, authorities have been urging people to avoid an herbal extract found during their investigations.
"At this time we have no confirmed evidence indicating that the two deaths are connected. However, packaged kratom sold from a retail store was found during both investigations," Lafayette County Metro Narcotics said in a statement.
While not confirming a link between kratom and the deaths, the statement urged people to avoid it and "any other medication or substance that was not prescribed to you or obtained from a trusted, regulated source."
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a statement on Wednesday that "Mississippi is praying for the families and friends of the two Ole Miss students during this incredibly difficult time," before adding that "illegal drugs are a serious problem at colleges and universities throughout the country."
"Please talk to your children about this situation and the dangers associated with taking illegal drugs," he said. "There has never been a more dangerous time to be a young person in American society."
Last week a "One Pill Can Kill" event spearheaded by Attorney General Lynn Fitch took place at the campus, providing students with information about drugs and training to administer Narcan in the event of overdose.
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What Is Kratom?
Kratom is an herbal substance made from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia. It is sold in the U.S. and elsewhere as powders, capsules, extracts, drinks, and teas.
In lower doses, it can produce a stimulant-like effect, while higher doses can cause opioid-like sedation or drowsiness.
The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use, and while not illegal in Mississippi, Oxford banned the sale of kratom products in 2019, while Lafayette County followed suit two years later.
"The use, purchase, possession, distribution, sale or offering for sale of kratom and other synthetic opioid products has been illegal throughout Lafayette County since January 2021," read a statement from Lafayette County shared on September 23.
Dean Francis, president of End Kratom Addiction, told Newsweek consumers are often unaware that compounds in kratom can have opioid-like effects and argued that the substance poses addiction and overdose risks, particularly when combined with other drugs. "Without proper clinical safety trials and regulatory evaluation, people are at great risk," he said.
Kratom advocates and some researchers argue the substance may have harm-reduction potential for people with opioid use disorder. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says people report using kratom to manage drug withdrawal and cravings, while noting that serious adverse effects have also been reported.
In March this year, the CDC reported a surge in poisoning cases related to kratom. Analysis of 2015–2025 National Poison Data System data found a roughly 1,200 percent increase in kratom-related exposure reports.
Most reports involved males and young adults aged 20 to 39, and most serious clinical outcomes were related to multiple-substance use involving addictive substances and antidepressants.
Symptoms of kratom overdose include nausea, tachycardia, agitation or irritability, seizure and coma. In 2025 more than 40 percent of calls to poison centers linked to kratom were serious of life-threatening situations.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick, James Debens and Emma Lee-Sang
Update 9/24/26, 9:49 a.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from the University's student body president.
Update 9/24/26 10:48 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
Update 9/25/26 02:41 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information and new images.
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