Late on Saturday, Former Louisiana State University Wide Receiver and NFL hopeful Kyren Lacy was pronounced dead by police following a vehicle pursuit. Law enforcement released a report about the incident on Sunday, April 13, in which they stated that Lacy passed away from an apparent suicide. He was just 24 years old.
Kyren Lacy Was Already Facing Legal Trouble
Kyren Lacy was a football star and wide receiver for LSU. He had the most touchdown receptions on the team in 2024, scoring 9, and was second in catches and yards, with 58 and 866, respectively. Lacy appeared headed for a successful NFL career and declared for the upcoming NFL draft. However, one decision sent all of that potential crashing down in December.
Kyren Lacy, from Louisiana, was allegedly driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed on December 17 when he passed over lanes of traffic, causing another motorist to swerve to avoid him. In that evasive maneuver, two cars ended up colliding headfirst into each other. In the crash, Herman Hall of Thibodaux was transported to the hospital but died from his injuries, a state police report said.
Kyren Lacy then allegedly left the scene of the accident and did not report it or his involvement in the event. Police later arrested him and charged him with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless operation of a vehicle. He has been out on bail since that time, and a Grand Jury was due to hear his case this week in court.
Kyren Lacy Died During A Chase With State Police Saturday
Late Saturday night, April 12, Kyren Lacy was involved in a police pursuit with Harris County authorities. Police were originally responding to a domestic disturbance call. Authorities allege that a female family member reported getting into an argument with Lacy, at which point he shot a firearm into the ground. When officers responded to the scene, they were allegedly informed that Lacy had fled. They were able to locate his car, and when they attempted to pull him over, he fled and led the officers into a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit terminated when Lacy’s vehicle crashed, and he was discovered dead inside moments later.
According to body cam footage and a report from the sheriff’s office, Lacy was discovered with a bullet wound that appeared to be the cause of death. Camera footage shows no gunshot going off after the car crashed. The sheriff’s office stated, “preliminary information indicates that Lacy shot himself during the pursuit and prior to the vehicle crashing.” According to officials, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office civil rights division will investigate the case, and there will be an official autopsy performed as well.
The case is a tragedy all around, and family and friends of all involved are left holding the heartbreaking pieces.
Family and Friends Respond To Lacy’s Death
Many individuals involved in Kyren Lacy’s life have reached out and responded to the young star’s tragic death. LSU released a statement which read, “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.”
Attorney Matthew Ory, representing Kyren Lacy in his criminal case, said in a statement to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, “It is with profound sorrow that we confirm the tragic passing of Kyren Lacy. First and foremost, we ask that the public and the media give his family the space and time they need to grieve this unimaginable loss in peace. [We were] very confident the evidence, after being fully collected and reviewed, would lead to a declination of charges… we will be demanding a full and transparent review of how this investigation was conducted and why.”
Kyren’s father, Kenny Lacy, also opened up about the heartbreaking loss, posting on his personal Facebook page. “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… Mental health is real, and for the most part, it’s invisible, don’t ignore the signs, even if they may seem small.”
The family requests prayers and privacy at this time. As more information is released, the story will be updated at that time.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988, or going to 988lifeline.org. All conversations are private and confidential. You are not alone.
