The University of Mississippi has identified two students found dead under suspicious circumstances in recent days, releasing their names with the approval of their families. Robert Strang, a 20-year-old junior from Atlanta, and Aidan Hamilton, an 18-year-old freshman from Englewood, Colorado, were both victims of the incidents that have drawn scrutiny to campus safety and drug use.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Shawnboda Mead stated on Thursday that the university has been in contact with the families to offer support and resources. She noted that the families asked for privacy as they grieve and urged the public to avoid relying on speculation or unverified information while law enforcement continues its investigation. The Ole Miss chapter of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity also issued a statement mourning both victims and extending sympathies to their families.
Sean Tindell, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, told Fox News Digital that authorities have not uncovered indications of foul play but have not ruled it out. He explained that a final determination cannot be made until autopsies are reported and investigators have collected statements and evidence. Tindell emphasized that without toxicology reports, it is too early to determine whether kratom or other substances were involved in the deaths.
Police previously reported finding packages of kratom at both scenes. While kratom is commercially available in many locations, it is not legal in Lafayette County. Tindell noted that if an overdose occurred, it could have been caused by another substance not readily apparent at the scene, making toxicology reports essential for understanding the causes of death. The deaths are being investigated by the Lafayette County narcotics task force, and it remains unclear whether the two incidents are connected.
Strang was discovered at an off-campus home, according to the Lafayette County Coroner's Office. Hamilton was found at Stewart Hall, a male dormitory on the Ole Miss campus. Social media posts from the Phi Delta Theta fraternity identified Strang as one of seven co-chairmen for the 2026 Rush recruitment cycle.
Governor Tate Reeves said on Wednesday that state investigators are assisting local authorities and will work to expedite the toxicology reports, which typically take weeks to complete. As of Thursday morning, no official cause or manner of death has been given for either victim.