Ole Miss students: Causes of death revealed in synthetic drug probe

The tragedy in Oxford

Real talk: the vibes in Oxford, Mississippi, are heavy right now. Following the heartbreaking deaths of two University of Mississippi students on September 21, the legal fallout is finally hitting the courtroom. Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20, were found unresponsive just hours apart, and investigators have linked their deaths to dangerous, illegal synthetic kratom.

What the science says

During Friday's federal court hearing, the grim details of their passing were shared. Toxicology reports revealed that both students had substances like mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and 7-OH in their systems. These compounds are the main ingredients in 'SMAX' pills—a product that is highkey deadly.

According to the defense, Hamilton’s death was caused by a combination of substances, including cough syrup, while Strang died from inhalation asphyxiation. At Strang’s off-campus apartment, investigators found 20 to 30 cans of nitrous oxide, indicating he had been doing 'whippets' alongside the synthetic pills.

The 'SMAX' investigation

It’s giving major L energy, but authorities believe these lethal pills were being pushed right in the community. Investigators claim a local shop, Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer, sold the SMAX pills to Hamilton twice.

Even crazier? A criminal complaint alleges that 51-year-old Yahya Mosleh, who was working at the shop, actually warned an undercover agent to be careful with the pills because, as he allegedly put it, 'people were dying from them.' Yahya and his 18-year-old son, Islam Mosleh, were arrested after a warrant raid uncovered hundreds of units of kratom and other illegal goods. The store's owner, Amer Alowdi, is still on the run after a 2022 indictment.

Why it matters

This isn't just about a local shop; it's a massive wake-up call about the dangers of the synthetic drug market. The DEA officially classified MGM-15 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl as Schedule I controlled substances in August, making them totally illegal. As prosecutors put it, this case highlights a series of tragic overdoses that have devastated the student body. Stay safe and know exactly what you're putting in your system, because the risks are real.