NFL draft prospect Kyren Lacy has passed away from apparent suicide after being involved in a car chase with the police following a 911 call on Saturday April 12. He was aged only 24 when he died.
He was a star for the LSU Tigers
After having played a starring role for the Louisiana State University Tigers last year, Kyren Lacy had declared for this season’s NFL draft. This was until he got involved in a car chase with the police.
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Someone dialed 911
The former LSU student was involved in a car chase with the police following a 911 welfare call.
The female caller, who was one of his family members, dialed the emergency services after a verbal argument led to the player discharging his firearm into the ground.
He had already fled when officers showed up
When police officers showed up to where the call was made from, Lacy had already fled in his vehicle.
Police in the local area spotted him and tried to pull him over but he drove off instead. This resulted in a car chase between the two.
It reportedly ended with his car crashed
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the car chase ended when Lacy crashed his car, according to The Guardian.
When officers approached the crashed car, they found Lacy had died with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
His dad issued a statement about mental health
Kyren’s dad, Kenny Lacy, has since issued a heartbreaking statement warning parents of the toll ill mental health can take on their kids. He encouraged them to speak openly about it in the home.
He wrote, “Young parents, start talking to your kids at a very early age and make sure they are confident and comfortable confiding in you.”
He emphasized the importance of mental health
“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,” he added.
It was hard for the father to process what happened
The father also said, “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!!!!!!!!!!!”
This comes after Kyren was due to appear in court
This incident comes after Kyren was due to appear in front of a grand jury on Monday April 14 as he was involved in a fatal car crash in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana in December 2024.
The wide receiver had been charged with felony hit-and-run, negligent homicide and reckless operation of a vehicle.
He had allegedly been driving recklessly
As reported by ESPN, at the time, Lacy was allegedly driving recklessly when a motorist swerved to avoid his car and crashed into another vehicle, resulting in the driver’s death shortly after.
Lacy had turned himself in to the police the following month and was released on bail. He was set to appear in front of the grand jury yesterday.
