Tragic new details have emerged regarding the death of NFL prospect Kyren Lacy, as a new report has said that the former LSU star took his life amid a police chase.
Lacy, 24, died Saturday night, and it came to light afterwards that the cause of his sudden passing was suicide, according to reports.
Now, TMZ has revealed that Lacy died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase, after officers attempted to pull him over following a report of a weapons disturbance.
Around 11:15 pm on Saturday, a weapons disturbance is said to have been reported near Houston by one of Lacy’s family members. The woman told police that they got into a verbal altercation before he fired a weapon at the ground.
Lacy then fled the scene, but did not comply with cops when they later identified his car and tried to stop him.
Police told TMZ that Lacy’s car ultimately crashed, and cops found him dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound when they tried to extract him from the vehicle.
The former LSU wide receiver reportedly took his own life at the age of 24 on Saturday
Lacy is seen with his father at his LSU graduation. The prospect had previously been charged with negligent homicide in a separate incident.
Lacy had already been facing criminal charges stemming from a fatal car accident in Louisiana last December that had clouded his NFL prospects.
In that accident, which killed a 78-year-old man in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, Lacy was allegedly was driving recklessly – speeding and passing in a no-passing zone – when a motorist who was swerving to avoid Lacy’s Dodge Charger crashed head-on into another vehicle.
Herman Hall of Thibodaux, who was involved in the head-on crash, died after being transported to a hospital, a state police report said.
Authorities with State Police Troop C in Gray, Louisiana, said Lacy fled the scene of the accident without calling for help. Lacy was ultimately booked with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle on January 13.
Following Lacy’s death, his father, Kenny Lacy, broke his silence with a stark mental health warning to young parents.
‘Young parents, start talking to your kids at a very early age and make sure they are confident and comfortable confiding in you,’ he wrote on Facebook . ‘Don’t be cool with ‘I’m Alright,or I’m good’ when you know deep down something isn’t right. 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. 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!!!!!!!!!!!’
Lacy, 24, was arrested on January 13 after an arrest warrant was issued by local police
Lacy’s car is not seen in this photo from local Louisiana news station WAFB. Instead, it’s two vehicles police say collided after he recklessly passed several cars on the road
Lacy’s case was set to be heard by a grand jury on Monday, less than 48 hours after his reported death.
However, his lawyer accused police of a ‘witch hunt’ in an astonishing statement following Lacy’s death, branding the charges brought against his client as an ‘overzealous, targeted effort’.
‘It is with profound sorrow that we confirm the tragic passing of Kyren Lacy. First and foremost, we ask that the public and the media give his family the space and time they need to grieve this unimaginable loss in peace,’ Lacy’s lawyer said.
‘Kyren’s was scheduled to have his matter heard before a grand jury tomorrow wherein we were very confident the evidence, after being fully collected and reviewed, would lead to a declination of charges.’
‘From the very beginning, this so-called investigation took on the appearance of an overzealous, targeted effort – what can only be described as a witch hunt – fueled by who Kyren was and the public profile he carried.
‘The decision by the investigating agency to charge him at all, in our view, was not only unjustified, it was disturbing. It’s imperative to understand the Lafourche Parish District Attorney, to this day, has not formally charged Kyren.’
‘[…] There was never a presumption of innocence which was exemplified by the NFL pulling his draft card over mere accusations without affording him the slightest chance to defend himself. The pressure and perception likely became unbearable.’
‘Let us be absolutely clear: This is far from over. We will be demanding a full and transparent review of how this investigation was conducted and why. Those responsible for this gross miscarriage of justice must and will be held accountable.’
Lacy is pictured with his father Kenny (right) and mother Kandace Washington (left)
Just 18 days ago – on March 26 – Lacy took part in the LSU pro day, when he showed off his ability in front of NFL scouts.
He played in 12 games for LSU last season and was second on the team in catches with 58 and yards receiving with 866.
Lacy’s death has been followed with tributes from the likes of Dak Prescott and Jayden Daniels, and LSU also put out a statement mourning his passing.
‘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.’
