Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy has died at the age of 24. He was found dead on Saturday evening, April 12, in Houston, Texas, according to an LSU official.
Reports from WAFB and TMZ indicate the suspected cause of death is suicide. Per CBS News, LSU issued a statement, saying, “We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”
Lacy’s friend, Rontrell Sandolph, paid tribute to the late athlete on Instagram. “I’m so lost for words. I’m speechless,” he wrote, sharing a carousel of photos and videos of Lacy. “I’m speechless. I went to sleep 4 times and woke up to see if that was a dream.”
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“All the talks, all the tears, everything, you know GOD had us,” he continued, adding, “The dreams we had started to kick in, you making it to [the] NFL [and] me playing ball overseas. [Our] dreams [were] coming to reality.”
Lacy’s death comes amid ongoing legal troubles, including felony charges related to a Dec. 17 car crash that killed former Marine Herman Hall. Lacy was accused of causing the fatal accident and fleeing the scene without offering help or notifying authorities.
Just two days after the incident, he announced his intention to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
Louisiana State Police confirmed in January that the athlete “met with Troopers and was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on charges related to the arrest warrant in January.”
Lacy faced charges of negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless driving.
He was released on bail, and a grand jury was scheduled to begin reviewing evidence in the case on Monday, April 14, according to WAFB. He was found dead in his car in Houston after a police chase Saturday night. A constable had tried to make a traffic stop but officers said Lacy refused to stop and was chased for several miles before crashing.
A report from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office states that when “deputies walked up to Lacy’s vehicle to take him into custody, they didn’t realize he shot himself during the pursuit and before the crash,” WBRZ reported.
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Lacy’s agent Arceneau shared a statement on X on January 10, stating that the athlete was “fully cooperating with the authorities” in the December fatal crash case.
“We strongly believe that the facts will ultimately demonstrate the truth, but we respect the need for a full and thorough investigation,” he continued.
“To anyone impacted, directly or indirectly, we want to assure that this matter is being taken very seriously and we are committed to resolving it responsibly,” added Arceneau.
Lacy posted a strong performance during the 2024 football season, recording 58 receptions for 866 yards and nine touchdowns.
Before transferring to LSU in 2022, he spent two seasons playing for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Lacy’s father wrote the following on social media after his son’s death.
Lacy’s father, Kenny Lacy, posted to social media after his son’s passing and called for parents to be more attentive to their children’s mental health.
Young parents,start talking to your kids at a very early age and make sure they are confident and comfortable confiding in you. Don’t be cool with “I’m Alright,or I’m good” when you know deep down something isn’t right. Mental Health is real, and for the most part, it’s invisible, don’t ignore the signs, even if they may seem small.
Our lives have changed forever and this will never be ok, but God needed my baby more than he was needed here. This has to be the biggest pill our families have had to swallow but I know the love and compassion in our families will get us through. This will never get easier, but we’ll learn to live with it.
Check on your kids mental!!!!!!!!!!!
