In the spring of 2015, the life of a promising University of Georgia student came to a tragic end. John Michael 'john john' Eden, a 22-year-old male, died on May 3, 2015. A junior in the Navy intelligence program, he was described by his family as bright, intelligent, and a standout student with the whole world ahead of him.
His parents, John and Lauren Eden, spoke out about the circumstances leading to their son's death, attributing it to his use of a substance called Kratom.
They described how their son, who was dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, believed Kratom was a natural and safe supplement to help him with his studies. According to his mother, he had called her in a panic one day, admitting he was addicted to Kratom and didn't feel well.
The family recounted their son's struggle with the substance, explaining that he had tried to wean himself off it. They found bags of what they identified as Kratom in his apartment after his death. John Eden ended his life at a gas station. In a suicide note he left for his parents, he expressed his love for them and wrote that there was nothing they could have done, stating, 'I've ruined myself with drugs.' His parents have since advocated for a ban on Kratom, wanting to warn other families about its potential dangers. There is no information to suggest any arrests were made or that any suspects were involved in his death.
