A family is mourning the loss of their son, who passed away after consuming a supplement that caused his skin to turn green. Dominic Roose, a 23-year-old from Pella, Iowa, tragically overdosed on kratom, an herbal product popular among around 15 million users worldwide. Struggling with severe social anxiety, Dominic sought natural remedies online and purchased kratom for $20. Despite previous battles with alcohol, he developed an addiction to kratom, escalating his usage over time.
On the day of his death in December 2023, Dominic took the supplement at home and quickly fell ill. Paramedics attempted to revive him, but he went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics in Iowa. Doctors advised his parents against viewing his body, and later autopsy findings revealed that his organs and skin had turned green due to the supplement.
Kratom is classified as a psychoactive substance in Britain, making its importation, exportation, and sale for human consumption illegal. However, regulations in the US vary by state, with more lenient rules allowing kratom to be sold in some regions, including at gas stations.
As Dominic’s family prepares for a third Christmas without him, they are advocating to raise awareness about the risks associated with kratom, emphasizing that just because something is natural does not guarantee safety. They expressed frustration over the lack of understanding about kratom leading up to the tragedy, highlighting the failure of the system to address the addiction effectively.
Although kratom remains technically legal, the US Food and Drug Administration recently cautioned against its use due to the potential for serious adverse effects such as liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder (SUD). The family hopes their advocacy efforts will prevent similar tragedies and educate others about the dangers of kratom.
