Bonneville County coroner and sheriff cite kratom deaths, urge Schedule I

Shante Sanchez, the Bonneville County coroner who led the investigation into Keeley Rustici's death, told the committee she sent the case to autopsy and that the reviewing forensic pathologist determined the official cause of death was "kratom intoxication." Sanchez described standard investigative steps used in these cases — scene documentation, toxicology, medical records review — and said her office has seen multiple kratom‑related deaths.

Sheriff Sam Holtz said law enforcement is seeing kratom sold near high schools and flavored concentrated products marketed to young people. "Just as coroner Sanchez mentioned, we're seeing this stuff sold within walking distance of our high schools," he said, adding that absence of regulation limits criminal enforcement and that a Schedule I classification would give authorities additional tools.

Both witnesses urged the committee to consider immediate statutory action; committee members pressed for clarity on whether the county's deaths involved natural leaf kratom or concentrated/synthetic products. Sanchez told the panel that in her investigations the product found at scenes was "pure powder" leaf kratom, and she said that autopsies and toxicology have been necessary to reach official determinations.