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Former LSU Wide Receiver Kyren Lacy Dies at 24 Following Police Pursuit
Tragic news has emerged as former Louisiana State University (LSU) wide receiver Kyren Lacy has reportedly passed away at the age of 24 after an incident involving a police chase. The promising football player’s sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the sporting community.
Details Surrounding the Incident
According to a FOX 8 report published on Sunday, April 13, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Texas stated that deputies responded to a disturbance involving Lacy and a relative around 11:00 PM on Saturday, April 12.
Us Weekly has reportedly contacted the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for further details and official statements regarding the unfolding situation.
Reports indicate that the disturbance allegedly involved Lacy discharging “a firearm into the ground during an argument” before departing the Houston vicinity. Subsequently, a Harris County constable reportedly located Lacy’s vehicle approximately 30 minutes later and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Authorities claim Lacy “refused to stop, leading to a pursuit that spanned several miles and ultimately concluded in a collision.”
Confirmation of Death and Ongoing Investigation
The news outlet further reported that, according to the police account, Lacy was “pronounced dead at the scene” of the crash.
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Relatives of the NFL prospect confirmed his death to local Louisiana news station WAFB 9 on Sunday. As of now, specific details concerning the cause of death have not been officially disclosed. The Sheriff’s Office reportedly informed FOX 8 that “Once the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide investigation is finalized, it will be submitted to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Division for review, as is protocol for any death occurring during an attempted arrest.”
FOX 8 further mentioned that the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is expected to “conduct an autopsy on Lacy” to determine the precise cause and manner of death.
Tributes from LSU and Sporting Figures
The official LSU Instagram account posted a tribute to Lacy on Sunday. Numerous figures from the sports world, including prominent personalities like Odell Beckham Jr. and Rontrell Sandolph, also shared tributes online, expressing their condolences and remembrance of Lacy.
The LSU tribute on Instagram featured a black-and-white collage of Lacy accompanied by a caption that read, “The LSU Football family mourns the loss of Kyren Lacy.”
Legal Case and Lawyer’s Statement
Lacy’s death occurred just days before a scheduled grand jury hearing regarding the athlete’s alleged involvement in a hit-and-run case. The hearing was scheduled to commence on Monday, April 14.
In December 2024, Lacy was arrested and faced charges including negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless driving. These charges stemmed from authorities’ belief that he was involved in a fatal automobile accident that resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. He was released on bond two days prior to announcing his intention to enter the NFL Draft. Lacy consistently maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
Following the dissemination of news regarding Lacy’s death, his legal representative issued a statement to WAFB 9. “Kyren was scheduled to have his matter heard before a grand jury tomorrow, where we were highly confident that the evidence, once fully gathered and evaluated, would result in a declination of charges,” the statement issued on Sunday conveyed.
“From the outset, this investigation appeared to be an excessive, targeted endeavor — a witch hunt — motivated by Kyren’s identity and public image,” the statement continued. “The decision by the investigating agency to file charges at all was, in our view, not only unwarranted but also concerning. It is crucial to recognize that the Lafourche Parish District Attorney has not formally charged Kyren to this day.”
Accusations of “Prejudiced Process”
The attorney’s statement further asserted that Lacy was a “young man of immense potential, who was tragically overwhelmed by an irresponsible and biased process.”
The statement elaborated, “The relentless negativity on social media, the widespread circulation of his mugshot by almost every news outlet instead of a standard photograph, the recent civil lawsuit naming him alongside another defendant who, inexplicably, was not charged with a crime, and the overall biased tone of coverage painted a deeply unfair picture before he even had a chance to defend himself.” The statement further claimed, “There was never an assumption of innocence, as evidenced by the NFL’s withdrawal of his draft consideration based solely on mere accusations, without affording him any opportunity to present his defense. The resulting pressure and public perception likely became unbearable.”
Concluding the statement, Lacy’s lawyer affirmed, “Let us be unequivocally clear: This matter is far from resolved. We will demand a comprehensive and transparent review of the investigation’s conduct and its underlying motivations. Those accountable for this egregious miscarriage of justice must and will be held responsible. In the interim, we again implore everyone to respect the Lacy family’s privacy and allow them the dignity to grieve the loss of their cherished son.”