Cause of death revealed for 22-year-old who dies during flight

The cause of death of a 22-year-old man who died aboard a Southwest flight in August has been revealed.

Rain McMillen Walmsley died from “the combined effects of 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine,” according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. His death is considered an accident.

7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine are compounds found in kratom, an herbal supplement that is of growing concern due to recent overdoses.

Kratom comes from a plant native to Southeast Asia, whose leaves are typically dried and consumed for their stimulating or sedative effects, depending on the dosage. In smaller amounts, the substance can produce effects similar to those of caffeine.

But 7-Hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, can produce opioid-like effects when its concentration is artificially increased. Kratom is widely sold, but it is legal and unregulated. A high risk of abuse of this drug has recently come under scrutiny.

Walmsey was aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 958 on August 7. The flight was traveling from Dallas to Los Angeles when Walmsey suffered a medical emergency and became unresponsive.

Crew members and other passengers attempted to save him, performing several CPR attempts as the plane continued toward Southern California.

Emergency responders were waiting for the plane when it landed at Los Angeles International Airport, but their efforts were in vain.

Paramedics were unable to resuscitate Walmsey and firefighters pronounced him dead at the scene.

Southwest Airlines previously confirmed that there was a “customer-involved medical incident” on board Flight 958, but did not provide additional details about the passenger.

The Irvine City Council, concerned about the harmful effects of kratom, recently imposed stricter regulations on the sale and distribution of synthetic kratom. Authorities have limited its use to customers 21 and older and established potency limits, prohibiting the sale and distribution of kratom products containing more than 2% 7-OH.

In Mississippi, two students in separate incidents were found dead with kratom at the scene in September, raising concern to even higher levels. Lafayette County’s Metro Narcotics Team previously said it “does not have confirmed information indicating that kratom or any other substance contributed to any of the deaths.”

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