Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy has died just days before his NFL career was potentially set to begin.
Lacy’s family has confirmed that the former Tigers star died in Houston on Saturday night at the age of 24.
A friend of Lacy had initially shared the news on social media.
A friend of former #LSU WR Kyren Lacy posted this on Instagram.
— Jon Sokoloff (@JonSokoloff) April 13, 2025
Absolutely heartbreaking. https://t.co/JkcZM5mVpv pic.twitter.com/bSvpCNAZC2
While Lacy’s family did not provide a cause of death, Jacques Doucet of WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge reports that Lacy is suspected to have committed suicide.
Lacy turned himself in to authorities in January after an arrest warrant was issued over his alleged involvement in a fatal car crash that took place on Dec. 17. He was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death, and reckless operation of a vehicle. Lacy was released after posting $151,000 bond.
Louisiana State Police said Lacy, who was driving a 2023 Dodge Charger, “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.” The driver of a 2017 Kia Cadenza pickup in the opposite lane then “braked and swerved to the right to avoid a head-on collision” with Lacy’s vehicle.
As the driver of the 2017 Kia Cadenza swerved, the vehicle collided head-on with a 2017 Kia Sorento. A passenger in the Sorento, 78-year-old Herman Hall, died from injuries sustained in the crash. The drivers of both Kia vehicles sustained moderate injuries, according to authorities.
You can read more details here.
Lacy declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 19, which was two days after the crash. He took part in LSU’s Pro Day last month and had been ranked as one of the top wide receivers in the 2025 draft. It is unclear how the legal issues would have impacted his draft stock, however.
One of Lacy’s attorneys, Matthew Ory, issued a statement in February claiming that Lacy “did not cause or contribute to the crash.” The attorney claimed Lacy briefly passed other vehicles but returned safety to his lane.
“The collision that resulted in the death of Mr. Herman was not caused by Mr. Lacy’s actions,” Ory wrote. “The accident occurred directly in front of him when a second vehicle in the oncoming lane crossed the centerline and collided with Mr. Herman’s vehicle, in which he was a passenger. We are of information and belief that the vehicle that collided with Mr. Herman’s vehicle was issued a citation. At no time did Mr. Lacy’s vehicle strike the rear of Mr. Herman’s vehicle, nor did any of the vehicles Mr. Lacy passed collide with his.”
A grand jury was set to start hearing evidence in Lacy’s case on Monday morning.
Lacy had 56 catches for 866 yards and 9 touchdowns at LSU last season. He had 16 touchdown receptions over the past two years.
