Former Louisiana State University (LSU) wide receiver Kyren Lacy has been found dead.
The cause of death was by suicide as it was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Apr. 13, less than two weeks before his selection in the 2025 National Football League (NFL) draft.
The death happened when Lacy fled the scene of a verbal argument with family members. When Lacy fired his gun into the ground, it drew the attention of police who tried to perform a traffic stop of the vehicle. His car crashed after driving for several miles with the gunshot wound being discovered once the police took him into custody.
Prior to the draft, Lacy had been accused of causing a car crash that killed a 78-year-old man on Dec. 17 and fleeing the scene without rendering aid or calling authorities. On Jan. 12, he turned himself in, was jailed and then released on $151,000 bail.
Louisiana Parish Sheriff’s Office records indicated that Lacy was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death and reckless operation of a vehicle. A grand jury was set to begin hearing evidence in the case prior to Lacy’s death.
Two days after the crash, Lacy declared for the NFL draft. He did not play in LSU’s win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl. He participated in March at LSU’s pro day and raised his draft stock in the process. Many believed Lacy would still be drafted despite the car crash.
In the days following Lacy’s death, his agent, Rocky Arceneaux, released a statement. In the statement, Arceneaux mentioned that Lacy would have been willing to adhere to any civil matters regardless of the grand jury’s decision to drop his felony charge. He also criticized the NFL for their handling of the crash, revealing how the league immediately revoked Lacy’s draft invitation before all evidence was presented to them.
Lacy played three seasons at LSU after starting his career at Louisiana. His best season was last year when he caught 58 passes for 866 yards and nine touchdowns.
