Two College Students Died Days Apart — Investigators Say They Bought the Same Brand of Pills

The deaths of two University of Mississippi students have triggered a federal investigation into allegedly illegal pills sold at a local vape shop in Oxford, Mississippi.

Authorities say Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20, died on September 21, 2026, in separate incidents. Investigators later discovered products labeled “Smax” at both locations, prompting questions about whether the substances played a role in the students’ deaths.

Investigators Trace Pills to a Local Store

According to court filings, investigators believe Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer sold Hamilton Smax pills on two occasions in the days before he died.

Toxicology results cited in court reportedly found mitragynine, MGM-15 and MGPI in both students’ systems. Those substances were also identified in Smax Mango Breeze pills recovered during the investigation.

Authorities say Strang obtained his pills from a different store outside Lafayette County, approximately 20 miles away.

Two Employees Face Federal Charges

Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, a manager at Puffs, and his 18-year-old son, Islam Mosleh, have been charged federally in connection with the alleged distribution of controlled substances.

Prosecutors say an undercover buyer purchased similar products from the store during the investigation. According to court documents, the employee allegedly warned the buyer to be careful because people were dying after taking the pills.

During a subsequent search, authorities seized more than 500 units of kratom and kratom-like products, along with other suspected substances.

The defendants have not been convicted of the charges, and the case remains ongoing.

Questions Remain About the Students’ Deaths

Court proceedings on October 9 brought further information about the deaths. A defense attorney said one student died after using a combination of substances, including cough syrup, while the other died from inhalation asphyxiation.

Investigators have not publicly released the complete toxicology reports or established a definitive connection between the pills and each death.

The tragedy has raised renewed concerns about products containing potent kratom derivatives and the risks associated with substances sold outside regulated channels.

For the families and friends of Hamilton and Strang, the investigation continues as they seek answers about how two young lives were lost.

Source: Action News 5

Additional source: Associated Press

Additional source: WEAU