The University of Mississippi has identified two students found dead under suspicious circumstances, prompting a joint investigation by the Lafayette County Coroner's Office and a narcotics task force. Authorities have not ruled out foul play, and officials stated on Thursday that it remains unclear whether the two deaths are connected.
Robert Strang, a 20-year-old from Atlanta, was identified as the older victim by his family's attorney speaking to Fox News Digital. The second victim is Aidan Hamilton, an 18-year-old freshman from Colorado, according to a university spokesman. Strang was discovered at an off-campus home, while Hamilton was found at Stewart Hall, a male dormitory on campus.
The Strang family expressed their grief through their attorney, describing the loss as unimaginable and asking for privacy. They acknowledged an outpouring of support from friends and family. Social media posts from the Phi Delta Theta fraternity chapter at Ole Miss identified Strang as one of seven co-chairmen for the 2026 Rush recruitment cycle. Attempts to contact Hamilton's family were unsuccessful as of Thursday.
Investigators recovered packages of kratom at both scenes. Kratom is a commercially available drug sometimes referred to as "gas station heroin," but its specific role in either death was not immediately clear to authorities. Campus Greek life leaders had previously circulated warnings about a synthetic opioid called cychlorphine, noting that while it can be treated with Narcan, it may require multiple doses and might not be detected by common fentanyl drug-detecting strips.
Governor Tate Reeves announced on Wednesday that state investigators were assisting local authorities and working to expedite toxicology reports for both victims. Such reports typically take weeks to complete. As of Thursday morning, no official cause or manner of death had been determined for either student. Students are being urged to avoid all drugs while the investigation continues.