Southwest passenger, 22, who died on flight from Dallas to LA was killed by new 7-OH drug, medical examiner says

A Los Angeles medical examiner has ruled that 22-year-old Rain McMillen Walmsley died from the combined effects of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine after becoming unwell on a Southwest flight. His death was classified as accidental and has renewed attention on concentrated, opioid-like products derived from kratom.

Walmsley was travelling from Dallas to Los Angeles on 7 August to visit family. Crew members provided aid, and he was taken to hospital after landing, but CPR was unsuccessful. His mother said he appeared to have a seizure before losing consciousness; he had recently graduated from Hunter College with a journalism degree. Kratom products are widely sold and are not federally controlled, while lawmakers in several states are considering restrictions following other deaths linked to the substance.