LSU releases statement on death of Kyren Lacy

Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy was found dead on Sunday. He was 24 years old. According to Baton Rouge TV station WBRZ, Lacy’s cause of death is being considered a suicide. On Sunday, LSU released a statement regarding Lacy’s death.

“We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,” the statement read, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”

The LSU community is in mourning due to the heartbreaking news. Lacy declared for the NFL Draft after having a breakout campaign in 2024. He finished the season with 58 catches for 866 yards and nine touchdowns.

It was his third season at LSU. He began his collegiate career at the University of Louisiana, where he spent two years. Lacy’s father, Kenny, also released a statement on his son’s passing.

“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,” Kenny Lacy wrote on Facebook. “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,” the message continued. “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 (health)!”

Away from the gridiron, Kyren Lacy was facing charges of felony hit-and-run and reckless driving. He was reportedly cooperating with police and out on bond after paying a $151,000 bail following his Jan. 12 arrest, according to a report from WAFB.

According to the initial police report reviewed by WAFB, Kyren Lacy was driving a 2023 Dodge Charger on Louisiana Highway 20 and “recklessly passed multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed by crossing the centerline and entering the northbound lane while in a designated No-Passing Zone.”

At that point, a northbound driver in a pickup truck abruptly hit the breaks and swerved to avoid a head-on-collision with Lacy’s Dodge Charger, forcing a Kia Cadenza that was behind the pickup to swerve left, crossing the centerline and hitting a southbound Kia Sorrento head-on, according to the police report via WAFB.

A passenger in the Kia Sorrento, Herman Hall of Thibodaux, was critically injured and later died at a local hospital, according to investigators. A grand jury was scheduled begin hearing evidence in the case on Monday.

On3’s Alex Byington also contributed to this report.