Overview
- The medical examiner identified mitragynine, 7‑hydroxymitragynine, quetiapine and mirtazapine as the substances involved.
- Officials said the 22-year-old was found in medical distress near Sierra Highway and Technology Drive in Palmdale and was pronounced dead at a hospital at 2:10 a.m.
- L.A. County banned sales of kratom and 7‑OH in November after reporting multiple kratom-related deaths, and the FDA has urged scheduling of 7‑OH as an opioid-like compound.
- Experts cited in the coverage note limited research on toxic concentrations of kratom and report that most kratom-linked fatalities involve multiple substances.
- Austin Beutner ended his Los Angeles mayoral campaign in February, citing grief over his daughter’s death.