Who was ex-LSU receiver Kyren Lacy? How did he die?

Kyren Lacy, a promising NFL Draft prospect and former LSU wide receiver, was born on December 27, 2000, in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where he attended Thibodaux High School. Raised in a close-knit family, he was the eldest of three siblings. He was a standout athlete during his time there, excelling not only in football but also in basketball. In football, he was a dynamic wide receiver, earning recognition as one of the top players in Louisiana. He was a key contributor to his high school team's success, showcasing his skills that would eventually take him to the collegiate level.
Beyond his immediate family, Kyren was deeply connected to his hometown of Thibodaux. He frequently returned to the community to give back, organizing events like Thanksgiving turkey drives to support local families in need. These initiatives highlighted his commitment to service and his desire to uplift those around him. Kyren's personal life was characterized by a strong sense of community, family bonds, and a dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others

Lacy started his college career at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL-Lafayette), where he played for two seasons before transferring to Louisiana State University (LSU). At UL-Lafayette, he had a promising freshman year, recording 28 receptions for 364 yards and four touchdowns. His sophomore year saw continued success with 22 receptions for 304 yards and six touchdowns.
In 2022, Lacy transferred to LSU, where he continued to develop his game. In his first season at LSU, he contributed significantly, appearing in all 14 games and starting in two of them, accumulating 24 receptions for 268 yards. His performance continued to improve, and in the 2023 season, Lacy became an important part of LSU's offense, recording 30 receptions for 558 yards and seven touchdowns.
Lacy's time at LSU earned him recognition as one of the team’s top wide receivers. By his senior year in 2024, he had firmly established himself as a key player in the program. He led LSU with nine touchdown receptions and accumulated 58 catches for 866 yards. His performance was instrumental in LSU's successful season, and he earned Second-Team All-SEC honors.

In December 2024, Lacy declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, building anticipation for his professional career. However, his draft prospects were clouded by a tragic incident.
On December 17, 2024, Lacy was involved in a fatal car accident in Chackbay, Louisiana, that resulted in the death of a 78-year-old man. . The incident occurred on Louisiana Highway 20, where Lacy was driving a 2023 Dodge Charger southbound. Authorities reported that he "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." This maneuver led to a head-on collision that tragically resulted in the death of 78-year-old Herman Hall, a former Marine, and injuries to two other individuals.
Following the crash, Lacy allegedly fled the scene without notifying authorities or seeking assistance for the victims. As a result, he was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless operation of a vehicle. An arrest warrant was issued on January 10, 2025, and Lacy turned himself in on January 12. He was released the same day on a $151,000 bond, with a grand jury review scheduled for April 14, 202.
These legal troubles had a profound impact on Lacy's prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. Despite these challenges, he maintained his innocence, with his attorney criticizing the legal process as prejudiced and overzealous.
Just days before his death, Lacy was scheduled to appear before a grand jury regarding these charges. His legal troubles had already impacted his NFL Draft prospects, as he had been arrested in January 2025 following the allegations.
Tragically, former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy, 24, died in an apparent suicide while being pursued by authorities in Houston on April 12, 2025, according to a Harrison County sheriff’s report released Sunday.
The sheriff's office said they were first called out to a weapons disturbance by a relative saying Lacy had been involved in a verbal argument with her and that he had discharged a firearm into the ground. Responding officers learned that he had fled the scene in a vehicle and, about 20 minutes later, a "Constable's Office" unit spotted Lacy and attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle. Lacy then fled and a vehicle pursuit took place spanning several miles," ending when his vehicle crashed.
The constables, "upon attempting to take Lacy into custody and remove him from the vehicle, discovered he had suffered what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound," the sheriff's office said in its report, adding that Lacy was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.

The news of Lacy's death has elicited an outpouring of grief from the LSU community and beyond. LSU released a statement expressing condolences to Lacy's family, teammates, and coaches, mourning the loss of a talented young athlete whose life was cut short under tragic circumstances.
“We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,” LSU said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”