Kratom Overdose Kills Kansas City Man Seeking Opioid-Free Pain Relief

Family files wrongful death lawsuit against smoke shop that sold unregulated kratom products

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

David Thacker, a 44-year-old Missouri man, died last year from a kratom overdose after turning to the herbal supplement to manage chronic pain from a workplace injury, rather than opioid painkillers that he feared could lead to addiction. Thacker's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against The Hub, a local smoke shop that allegedly sold him the unregulated kratom products that led to his fatal overdose.

Why it matters

Kratom, a plant-based supplement often touted as a safer alternative to opioids, exists in a legal gray area with little federal regulation. As states and cities attempt to address the risks of kratom and synthetic kratom derivatives like 7-OH, this case highlights the potential dangers of the loosely regulated kratom market and the tragic consequences that can occur when people turn to uncontrolled substances to manage chronic pain.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Thacker regularly purchased kratom products from The Hub, a local smoke shop that allegedly sold unmarked bags of kratom powder and pills without proper labeling or safety information. The autopsy found a high concentration of mitragynine, the primary active compound in kratom, in Thacker's blood, leading to a determination of kratom overdose as the cause of death. The lawsuit alleges The Hub was negligent in selling unregulated kratom products that ultimately led to Thacker's death.

  • On May 31, 2025, Thacker's sister Amy found him dead on the kitchen floor.
  • The autopsy determined Thacker's cause of death to be a kratom overdose on that date.

The players

David Thacker

A 44-year-old Missouri man who died from a kratom overdose after turning to the herbal supplement to manage chronic pain from a workplace injury, rather than opioid painkillers.

Amy Thacker

David Thacker's sister, who found him dead on the kitchen floor and is part of the family's wrongful death lawsuit against The Hub smoke shop.

The Hub

A local smoke shop in the Kansas City area that is one of several defendants named in the wrongful death lawsuit, accused of selling unregulated and unmarked kratom products that led to Thacker's fatal overdose.

Mark Schloegel

The attorney who filed the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the Thacker family.

OPMS Kratom

A kratom product manufacturer named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Club 13

A kratom product manufacturer named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He seemed to be getting healthier. He was working out, losing weight, staying sober. To us — to his family — it seemed like he was on a better path.”

— Amy Thacker, David Thacker's sister

“This drug can actually kill you. This case highlights the fact that it is being sold without regulation, with abandon, and we're doing our best to stop it.”

— Mark Schloegel, Attorney

“I want to be helpful to other people.”

— Amy Thacker, David Thacker's sister

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the lawsuit against The Hub and other defendants to proceed.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the dangers of the loosely regulated kratom market and the need for stronger oversight and consumer protections around the sale of uncontrolled herbal supplements, even those touted as safer alternatives to prescription painkillers.