kratom

Mitragynine is the most abundant active alkaloid in the Southeast Asian plant Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom.

At high doses, mitragynine and other alkaloids in kratom can cause respiratory depression, similar to opioids. This can lead to respiratory failure and death.

Out of over 160,000 death records made public by the county’s medical examiner since 1999, we’ve seen only seven cases so far where kratom was the only substance detected in the tox panel. Kratom-related deaths almost always involve other substances, particularly opioids like fentanyl.

Cause of death is deferred pending additional investigation.

April 25, 2026

kratom

(L.A.) Brian Assed, 37, Died in an Alley

(L.A.) Jason Evans, 44, Died in a Hotel/Motel

(L.A.) Sina Salehi, 33, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Ryan Johnson, 40, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Caleb Bronkema, 25, Died in a Tow Yard

(L.A.) Karen Golestan, 42, Died at a Restaurant

(L.A.) Juan Padilla Yanez, 51, Died in a Hospital

(L.A.) Antonio Alexanyan, 27, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Andrew Lachasse, 44, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Wesley Morris, 34, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Kenneth Ong, 45, Died in a Hospital

(L.A.) Jack Moore, 25, Died at a Residential Sober Living Facility

(L.A.) Jeffrey Epstein, 34, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Ethan Valverde, 32, Died in a Hospital

(L.A.) Paul Bartow, 39, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Zachary Posey, 30, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) James Perlman, 33, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Sidra Rubel, 38, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Stephen Grubb, 24, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Holly Irwin, 47, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Ryan Warner, 33, Died at a Residence

(L.A.) Martin Soria, 30, Died on a Sidewalk

(L.A.) Blake Cipolla, 21, Died in a Hospital

(L.A.) Pinchas Rosenberg, 49, Died in a Vehicle