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Circle Pines woman says popular Kratom supplement killed sister

The Brief Ann Marie Beier's sister, Emily Beier, 42, of Burnsville, died in August. The medical examiner determined her cause of death to be "apparent mytragynine toxicity." Mytragynine is found in Kratom, a herbal supplement sold at gas stations and corner stores. (FOX 9) - Ann Marie Beier, 42, of Burnsville, died in August after ingesting Kratom, a herbal supplement that the Food and Drug Administration has warned against using. The backstory Beier was found dead in an extended-stay hotel in Maple Grove in August. Her sister found two empty bottles of MIT 45 near her body. An autopsy revealed that her sister died of "apparent mytragynine toxicity." Mytragynine is the active ingredient in Kratom, a herbal supplement that is legal – and unregulated – in most states, including Minnesota. What they're saying Beier said her sister likely took the supplement for anxiety but was unaware of its potential harmful effects. "If she would've known that this could've killed her, she would've stayed far away from it," said Beier. "It should be against the law. I don't want the next person to have to go through what we've gone through." MIT 45 could not be reached for comment. What the Lawsuit Claims A class action filed in a federal court in California in March 2024 claims that MIT 45 products have the "same addictive potential as morphine." In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that MIT 45 "relies on its products' innocuous packaging and the public's limited knowledge about kratom and its pharmacology to get users addicted, while reaping profits along the way." What's the Law Six states – Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin – ban kratom. Individual counties in Florida, North Carolina and California also outlaw the herbal supplement. The FDA does not regulate dietary supplements, though the agency can act if the packaging makes unsubstantiated medical claims. Why you should care The FDA warns against using Kratom because of its potentially deadly side effects. Doctors said the herbal supplement can also cause other serious health issues. "[It can cause] depressed breathing, seizures, kidney and muscle injury," said Dr. Ryan Fuchs, an emergency medicine physician at Hennepin Healthcare. "It can also cause abnormal heart rhythms. The Source Ann Marie Beier; Emily Beier's death certificate; Dr. Ryan Fuchs, Hennepin Healthcare emergency medicine physician; Food and Drug Administration; Federal lawsuit.