Cause of death revealed for 22-year-old who died mid-air during flight

Key Points:

• Rain McMillen Walmsley, a 22-year-old man, died from the combined effects of 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine, compounds found in kratom, with his death ruled accidental by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Kratom, a plant supplement from Southeast Asia, is known for stimulant or sedative effects, but its compound 7-Hydroxymitragynine can produce opioid-like effects when concentrated, raising concerns about abuse and overdose.
• Walmsley suffered a medical emergency aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 958 from Dallas to Los Angeles on August 7, and despite CPR attempts by crew and passengers and emergency responders at LAX, he was pronounced dead.
• In response to health concerns, Irvine City Council implemented stricter regulations on synthetic kratom, limiting sales to those 21 and older and banning products with more than 2% 7-Hydroxymitragynine.
• Recent kratom-related deaths, including two college students in Mississippi, have heightened scrutiny, though local authorities have not confirmed kratom as a contributing factor in those cases.