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

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/southwest-passenger-22-who-died-on-flight-from-dallas-to-la-was-killed-by-new-7-oh-drug-medical-examiner-says/
- Published: 2026-11-06T21:48:18+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T22:03:53+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16272643/southwest-passenger-flight-dead-7-oh-drug.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Culture, Health, Medicine, Travel, World

## Key points

- A medical examiner linked Walmsley’s death to kratom compounds.
- He became unwell on a flight from Dallas to Los Angeles.
- Several states are considering restrictions on kratom products.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.