Two University of Mississippi students found dead in recent days have been identified as Robert Strang, 20, and Aidan Hamilton, 18. Strang was found at an off-campus home, while Hamilton was believed to have been found in a room at Stewart Hall. A county narcotics task force is investigating both deaths, and authorities have not determined whether the cases are connected.
Packages of kratom were recovered at both locations, but officials have not established whether the substance contributed to either death. Foul play has not been ruled out, and no official cause or manner of death had been released as of Thursday morning, September 24, 2026.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Victims identified after separate discoveries |
| 2) | Locations and initial emergency response |
| 3) | Narcotics task force examines possible links |
| 4) | Kratom and synthetic opioid warnings |
| 5) | Toxicology testing and pending findings |
Victims identified after separate discoveries
Robert Strang, a 20-year-old University of Mississippi junior from Atlanta, was identified by his family through an attorney. His family said it was heartbroken and asked for privacy and compassion while processing his death. Social media posts from the university’s Phi Delta Theta chapter identified Strang as one of seven co-chairmen of the fraternity’s 2026 rush.
Aidan Hamilton, an 18-year-old freshman from Colorado, was identified by a university spokesman. Attempts to reach Hamilton’s family were unsuccessful on Thursday. Authorities have not publicly released additional details about either student’s activities before the deaths.
Locations and initial emergency response
The Lafayette County Coroner’s Office said Strang was discovered at an off-campus home. Hamilton was believed to have been found in a room at Stewart Hall, a male residence hall on the university’s Oxford, Mississippi, campus.
Dispatch records showed first responders were sent to the Stewart Hall address within about a minute of the call being dispatched. The separate locations have made it a central question for investigators whether the deaths share a common cause or circumstance. Officials have not announced a connection.
Narcotics task force examines possible links
Both deaths are being investigated by the county’s narcotics task force. Investigators are examining evidence from the two scenes and are considering multiple possibilities, including whether drugs played a role. Foul play remains under consideration, according to authorities.
No official cause or manner of death had been determined by Thursday morning. The investigation remains active, and officials have not said whether anyone is a suspect or whether arrests are expected.
Kratom and synthetic opioid warnings
Authorities found packages of kratom at both scenes. Kratom is commercially available, but its presence alone does not establish that it caused either death. Officials had not clarified whether the packages were tested or whether they contained other substances.
University Greek life leaders had also circulated a warning about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid. Students were told that cychlorphine may require multiple doses of Narcan and may not appear on common test strips used to detect fentanyl contamination. Students have been urged to avoid all drugs.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear son and are trying to process this unimaginable loss,” Strang’s family said through its attorney.
Toxicology testing and pending findings
Tate Reeves, Mississippi’s governor, said Wednesday that state investigators were assisting local authorities. He said the state would try to expedite toxicology reports for both students.
Toxicology reports commonly take weeks to complete, and investigators are expected to use those findings alongside autopsy results and evidence from the two locations. Until those examinations are finished, officials cannot confirm the substances involved or establish the precise causes of death.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The victims were identified as Robert Strang, 20, and Aidan Hamilton, 18. |
| 2 | The students were found at an off-campus home and a university residence hall. |
| 3 | A county narcotics task force is investigating both deaths. |
| 4 | Kratom packages were found at both scenes, but their role is unknown. |
| 5 | Cause and manner of death remain pending toxicology and other examinations. |
Summary
The deaths of two Ole Miss students are under investigation at separate locations in Oxford. Authorities are assessing possible narcotics involvement while awaiting toxicology results, and they have not confirmed a connection, cause of death or evidence of foul play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the students who died?
They were identified as Robert Strang, a 20-year-old junior from Atlanta, and Aidan Hamilton, an 18-year-old freshman from Colorado.
Where were the students found?
Strang was found at an off-campus home. Hamilton was believed to have been found in a room at Stewart Hall, a university residence hall.
What is known about the investigation?
A county narcotics task force is investigating both deaths. Kratom packages were found at both locations, but officials have not determined whether the substance contributed to either death or whether the cases are connected.
When will the cause of death be known?
Toxicology reports can take weeks. No official cause or manner of death had been released as of Thursday morning.