Daniel Naroditsky Toxicology Results Released Following Grandmaster’s Passing at Age 29

A toxicology report has reportedly confirmed that American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky had multiple drugs in his system when he died at age 29 last year.¹ The sudden passing of Daniel Naroditsky on October 19, 2025, sparked a strong reaction within the chess community, particularly against former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, who had previously accused the American of cheating during online games.²

Discovery and Circumstances of Death

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Daniel Naroditsky, a renowned chess trainer and streamer, was found dead at his home in Charlotte by his friends and fellow players, Oleksandr Bortnyk and Peter Giannatos.³ In what proved to be his final stream, Daniel Naroditsky had addressed the unproven cheating allegations made against him by Kramnik.⁴ Following the discovery, local police initially stated that the death of Daniel Naroditsky was most likely a case of drug overdose or suicide, though no official cause was confirmed at the time.⁵

Toxicology Findings and Substance Impact

It has now emerged that Daniel Naroditsky had methamphetamine, amphetamine, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine in his system at the time of his death.⁶ According to a report from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the presence of these substances was confirmed in the toxicology findings.⁷

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are identified as the psychoactive ingredients in Kratom, a plant-based supplement used as a stimulant.⁸ The other substances found in the system of Daniel Naroditsky, methamphetamine and amphetamine, are synthetic stimulants known to cause severe cardiovascular strain, organ damage, and fatal overdoses.⁹

The release of the toxicology report clarifies the circumstances surrounding the death of Daniel Naroditsky, confirming the presence of a combination of synthetic and plant-based stimulants.¹⁰ While the initial investigation into Daniel Naroditsky suggested various possibilities, the official findings highlight the physiological impact of these substances at the time of his passing.¹¹