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By (https://www.wtva.com/authors/nick-pirozzi/) Nick Pirozzi Published: Sep. 23, 2026 at 7:35 PM EDT Share (https://google.com/preferences/source?q=https://www.wtva.com) Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) – The Lafayette County coroner confirmed the two Ole Miss students who died this week were both male, ages 18 and 20. Gov. Tate Reeves addressed the deaths in a statement Wednesday. Governor’s statement Reeves said in a statement Wednesday, “Mississippi is praying for the families and friends of the two Ole Miss students during this incredibly difficult time. Illegal drugs are a serious problem at colleges and universities throughout the country.” Reeves also said, “The Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics are working closely with local law enforcement. They are assisting in the investigation and working to expedite toxicology reports.” Campus reaction Students in Oxford were mourning the loss of their classmates Wednesday. Black ribbons were tied at the front of many fraternity and sorority houses across Ole Miss. Some Greek life chapters have rescheduled events this week. Details on the deaths The Lafayette County coroner said an 18-year-old male student died on campus at Stewart Hall, and a 20-year-old male student died at an off-campus house. The names of the students have not been announced out of respect for the families and their privacy. Law enforcement said kratom was purchased from a local retailer in both cases and was found on the scene. Kratom has recently been banned across several north Mississippi counties due to it being like an opioid drug. Toxicology results pending The Lafayette County coroner said a toxicology report will be done, but results could take a few weeks. Investigators said there is a troubling amount of misinformation circulating online about the case. They said the investigation is ongoing and more details will be provided soon. Copyright 2026 WTVA. All rights reserved. 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