ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has learned that one of two students who died at the University of Mississippi is from Atlanta.
Channel 2’s Tom Regan confirmed that Robert Strang, from Atlanta, was one of the dead. He was in his junior year at Ole Miss.
The family’s attorney sent Regan the following statement, saying:
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear son and are trying to process this unimaginable loss. 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.”
Stay with WSBTV.com and tune into Channel 2 Action News starting at 4 p.m. for the latest on this developing story.
The university’s newspaper identified Aidan Hamilton, 18, from Colorado, as the other.
Investigators are working to learn if kratom contributed to either death.
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The students were found Monday afternoon in different locations, one on campus and the other off campus, a university spokesperson said.
U.S. health officials and states have increasingly scrutinized kratom, an herbal extract that acts as a stimulant at low doses and a sedative at high doses, over the past decade.
Kratom is legal at the federal level, but some state and local governments have banned the substance and federal authorities have issued warnings about its risks.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.