Kyren Lacy, the LSU football star reported dead Sunday, died by suicide after crashing his car in a police chase, according to authorities.
Lacy, 24, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Houston, the Harris County sheriff’s office said in a report.
According to police, Lacy was arguing with a family member on Saturday night when he fired a bullet into the ground, ESPN reported. The relative called the cops around 11:15 p.m., and Lacy fled the scene.
Cops found Lacy’s car about 30 minutes later and attempted to pull him over, but he sped away, according to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK. The chase ended when Lacy crashed. When officers exited their patrol car to detain Lacy, they found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, Harris County authorities said.
“The LSU Football family mourns the loss of Kyren Lacy,” the school said in a social media post.
Lacy was a standout wide receiver at LSU, leading the team with nine receiving touchdowns in his senior year. During his three years with the Tigers, Lacy caught 112 passes for 1,692 yards and 16 touchdowns.
At points considered an early-round NFL Draft pick, Lacy’s draft standing plummeted after a deadly Dec. 17, 2024, car crash in Lafourche Parish, La., on State Highway 20.
Police said Lacy started speeding and driving the wrong way on the two-lane road, forcing opposing traffic to swerve around him. One car turned to avoid Lacy and struck another vehicle, killing 78-year-old Herman Hall.
Cops said Lacy fled the scene of the accident and never alerted emergency responders. He turned himself in to police on Jan. 12 to face charges of negligent homicide and hit-and-run. The case was set to go before a grand jury on Monday.