The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed on Friday that Emily Beutner, the 22-year-old daughter of former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner, died by suicide from a toxic combination of kratom compounds and prescription medications.
Emily Beutner died from the effects of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—active compounds found in the controversial herbal supplement kratom—combined with quetiapine and mirtazapine, prescription medications used to treat mental health conditions. A deputy medical examiner conducted an examination on January 15, certifying the cause and manner of death on March 20.
Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel discovered Emily Beutner in a field near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Technology Drive in Palmdale shortly after midnight on January 6. Paramedics transported her to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead at 2:10 a.m.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department initially assigned homicide investigators to the case—standard procedure when a young person dies under such circumstances. Lt. Michael Modica cautioned at the time that the homicide investigation should not be interpreted as an indication of foul play, noting this protocol is typical when young people are found in similar situations.
Emily Beutner was a junior at Loyola Marymount University studying studio arts in the College of Communication and Fine Arts. She transferred to LMU in fall 2024 and quickly immersed herself in campus life, joining the Photography and Yoga clubs and serving as an ARTsmart mentor to underserved K-8 students. In November 2024, she participated in a De Colores service trip to Tijuana, Mexico. She was the youngest of Austin Beutner’s four children with his wife, Virginia, and the couple’s only daughter.
LMU President Thomas Poon announced the university will honor Emily with a plaque at its student memorial, Ad Astra per Aspera. “Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Emily’s family and loved ones,” Poon said in a statement.
Austin Beutner, who served as Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent from 2018 to 2021, ended his mayoral campaign on February 5, citing the devastating loss of his daughter. In his withdrawal statement, Beutner called Emily “a magical person, the light of our lives,” and said the demands of a mayoral campaign require “someone who is committed 24/7 to the job.”
The former superintendent had launched his mayoral campaign in October 2025, focusing on homelessness, public safety, rising housing costs and job creation. He entered the race as one of the most high-profile challengers to incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.
The substances found in Emily’s system create dangerous interactions when combined. Quetiapine is a prescription antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Mirtazapine is a prescription antidepressant. Both medications produce sedating effects that can compound when mixed with other depressants.
Kratom, derived from the leaves of the Southeast Asian Mitragyna speciosa tree, contains compounds that mimic opioids at higher doses. The compound 7-hydroxymitragynine—up to 13 times more potent than morphine according to one study—produces opioid-like effects including pain relief and euphoria. When combined with other sedating substances, these compounds can suppress breathing, leading to death.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health banned the sale of all products containing kratom and 7-OH in November 2025 after six kratom-related deaths were reported in the county. Alcohol was present in all six fatal cases, and many also involved other medications or illicit substances. The products are commonly sold at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops, often marketed as natural remedies for pain, anxiety and drug dependence.
Dr. Muntu Davis, LA County Health Officer, warned that kratom and 7-OH products “are sold as natural remedies, but they are illegal and unsafe.” He emphasized that mixing 7-OH with alcohol, prescription drugs or illicit substances “can significantly slow breathing and lead to death.”
The Food and Drug Administration described 7-hydroxymitragynine as a “dangerous, illegal” opioid in July 2025 advisories to local public health departments and in warning letters to seven companies accused of illegally marketing the compound. On July 29, 2025, the FDA recommended the compound for scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act, targeting concentrated 7-OH products rather than natural kratom leaf.
In lieu of flowers, the Beutner family has invited donations in Emily’s memory to De Colores or the ARTsmart mentor program at Loyola Marymount University.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.