Former wide receiver Kyren Lacy was found dead on April 13 in Houston. He was 24 years old.

An LSU official confirmed Lacy’s death to ESPN on Sunday. While an official cause of death has not been released, a source close to the situation told reporters it is being investigated as a suspected suicide. A family member also confirmed the heartbreaking news.

His final year off the field, however, was marked by controversy.

In December, Lacy was accused of causing a deadly hit-and-run crash in Lafourche Parish that killed a 78-year-old man. Authorities said Lacy fled the scene without offering aid or contacting emergency services. He turned himself in on January 12 and was later released on $151,000 bail.

The timing of his death is especially chilling — a grand jury was scheduled to begin hearing evidence in the case Monday morning, less than 48 hours after his body was discovered.

Lacy’s lawyer released a blistering statement following his death, condemning the investigation and media coverage as “an overzealous, targeted effort—what can only be described as a witch hunt.” The statement emphasized that the Lafourche Parish District Attorney had not formally charged Lacy, and expressed confidence that the grand jury would have ultimately declined to indict him.

“Kyren was a young man with immense promise, and he was crushed under the weight of an irresponsible and prejudiced process,” the statement read. The lawyer also criticized the media for widely circulating Lacy’s mugshot instead of standard photos, calling the move part of a broader pattern of biased portrayal.

The emotional statement pointed to the NFL’s decision to pull Lacy’s draft card amid the allegations, arguing that he had been denied the presumption of innocence. “The pressure and perception likely became unbearable,” the lawyer concluded, adding that a full review of the investigation will be demanded.

The sportsman’s friend, Rontrell Sandolph, shared a deeply emotional Instagram post just hours after the news broke. “I’m so lost for words. I’m speechless,” he wrote alongside a photo of the two, laughing together with their arms around each other.

Sandolph’s tribute recalled their dreams of playing professionally — Lacy in the NFL, and Sandolph overseas. “We talked and cried and laughed it off everyday bro!!!” he recalled. The devastated friend can’t believe the news, asking, “why would u leave me bro?” He concluded his message, “I’ll be fine but give me some time bro 💔💔💔💔💔😭😭😭.”

Lacy, who transferred to LSU from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was a standout wide receiver known for his size, agility, and on-field intensity. His college football career earned him admiration from fans across the state and beyond. On December 19, he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.