Cause of Death Revealed for Austin Beutner's Daughter

The 22-year-old's death was ruled a suicide due to a combination of kratom and prescription medications.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:37am

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The death of Emily Beutner, the 22-year-old daughter of former Los Angeles schools superintendent Austin Beutner, has been ruled a suicide caused by a combination of active compounds from the herbal substance kratom and prescription anti-psychotic and antidepressant medications, according to the L.A. County medical examiner.

Why it matters

The tragic death of Austin Beutner's daughter has raised awareness about the dangers of combining kratom, an herbal substance with opioid-like effects, with prescription medications. It also highlights the ongoing challenges around regulating and understanding the risks of kratom, which has been linked to several deaths in Los Angeles County.

The details

The medical examiner determined Emily Beutner's death was due to the effects of mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine (compounds found in kratom), quetiapine (an antipsychotic), and mirtazapine (an antidepressant). These substances can have sedating effects and suppress breathing when combined, leading to death. In November, L.A. County banned the sale of all products containing kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine after six kratom-related deaths were reported.

  • Emily Beutner was found by the side of a highway in Palmdale shortly after midnight on January 6, 2026.
  • She was pronounced dead at 2:10 a.m. on January 6, 2026.
  • The medical examiner conducted an examination of her body on January 15, 2026 and certified the cause and manner of death on March 20, 2026.

The players

Austin Beutner

The former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District and father of Emily Beutner.

Emily Beutner

The 22-year-old daughter of Austin Beutner whose death was ruled a suicide.

L.A. County Medical Examiner

The agency that determined the cause and manner of Emily Beutner's death.

L.A. County Department of Public Health

The agency that banned the sale of products containing kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine in November 2025 after six kratom-related deaths were reported in the county.

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What they’re saying

“Emily Beutner was a magical person, the light of our lives.”

— Austin Beutner

What’s next

The L.A. County Department of Public Health will continue to monitor the use and risks of kratom and other substances in the region.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the dangers of combining kratom, an unregulated herbal substance, with prescription medications. It underscores the need for greater research, education, and regulation around the use of kratom to prevent future overdose deaths.