Home / Health / Ex-LAUSD Chief's Daughter Dies of Drug Overdose
Ex-LAUSD Chief's Daughter Dies of Drug Overdose
21 Mar
Summary
- Emily Beutner, 22, died from a drug combination including kratom compounds.
- The LA County Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide.
- Her father, Austin Beutner, withdrew from the LA mayoral race.
Emily Beutner, 22, daughter of former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner, died from a combination of drugs including the main compounds in kratom. The LA County Medical Examiner's office determined her death to be a suicide.
Beutner was found in Palmdale experiencing medical distress and later died at a local hospital. The identified substances included mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, active compounds in kratom, alongside quetiapine and mirtazapine. The FDA has previously labeled 7-hydroxymitragynine as a dangerous, illegal opioid.
Public health officials have warned about kratom's dangers, noting that at higher doses it acts as an opioid and can lead to death, especially when mixed with other substances. Local authorities have urged stores to stop selling kratom due to links with overdoses.
Following his daughter's death, Austin Beutner, who had been running for LA mayor, withdrew from the mayoral race, citing his family's profound grief.
