Former LSU Receiver Kyren Lacy Dies in Apparent Suicide Following Police Pursuit

BATON ROUGE, La. — Kyren Lacy, a former receiver for Louisiana State University, was found dead in his vehicle on Saturday night after an apparent suicide during a police chase in Houston, Texas, authorities reported.

According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call around 11:15 p.m. from a family member who stated that Lacy had fired a gun into the ground during a dispute. When deputies arrived, Lacy had already left the scene. About 20 minutes later, officers spotted Lacy’s vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Lacy fled, leading to a pursuit that ended when he crashed his vehicle.

Officers attempted to take Lacy into custody and discovered he had suffered what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene.

Lacy, 24, had been dealing with significant legal issues stemming from a fatal car accident that took place in December 2024, which resulted in the death of 78-year-old Herman Hall. Lacy faced charges of negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless operation of a vehicle. After surrendering to authorities in January, he was released on $151,000 bail.

In a statement released by LSU, the university expressed sorrow over Lacy’s passing: “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.”

Following his death, Kenny Lacy, Kyren’s father, took to social media to speak about mental health, urging parents to engage with their children regarding emotional struggles. “Our lives have changed forever and this will never be okay, but God needed my baby more than he was needed here,” he wrote. “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.”

Lacy had an impressive collegiate career, leading his team in receiving touchdowns with nine in his final season at LSU. He declared for the NFL Draft shortly after the December crash, previously being ranked as one of the top receiver prospects in the nation.

His death has caused an outpouring of grief from the LSU community, with teammates including quarterback Jaden Daniels expressing their heartbreak. Daniels shared on social media, “Hard to ever find the right words to say. I don’t think that there are ‘right words.’ Please join me in praying for all of Kyren’s former teammates and family members who are mourning his loss.”

Lacy had made a positive impact on his teammates and fans alike during his time at LSU, showcasing talent and dedication on the field. His death serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing mental health and the challenges that young athletes may face.