Tragic Loss: NFL Draft Hopeful Kyren Lacy Passes Away at Age 24

Kyren Lacy, a former LSU wide receiver and NFL Draft prospect, has died at 24.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football first reported the news.

Lacy led the Tigers in receiving touchdowns (9) and was second on the team in catches (58) and receiving yards (866) this past year. During his five-year collegiate career, he caught 162 passes for 2,360 yards and scored 26 touchdowns. He spent his first two seasons at Louisiana before transferring to LSU.

Lacy declared for the 2025 NFL Draft in December 2025. He was included in The Jugo Mobile’ Top 100 Big Board and was projected by many outlets as a Day 2 pick.

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Here is what to know about Kyren Lacy’s death.

How did Kyren Lacy die?

WAFB9 reported that Lacy’s death in Houston is a suspected suicide. 

According to Harris County authorities, police responded to a call from a family member of Lacy’s. The woman said that the wide receiver had discharged a firearm into the ground and fled the scene before the cops showed up at the residence. 

Authorities pursued Lacy until he crashed the vehicle. When the officers approached the car, Lacy was found dead. It appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Lacy, 24, was arrested earlier this year on charges related to a deadly hit-and-run crash in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. A grand jury was set to begin hearing evidence in the case tomorrow morning.

Lacy’s father spoke out Sunday night, about his son’s death, writing “Mental Health is real, and for the most part, it’s invisible, don’t ignore the signs, even if they may seem small.”

Kyren Lacy car accident

The crash involving Lacy occurred on Dec. 17, 2024, according to a release from Louisiana State Police.

Lacy was allegedly driving a 2023 Dodge Charger on Louisiana Highway 20 and “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.”

Lacy’s actions caused multiple cars traveling northbound to swerve out of the way, including a 2017 Kia Cadenza, which collided with a 2017 Kia Sorento traveling southbound. Police allege that Lacy fled the crash scene “without stopping to render aid, call emergency services, or report his involvement in the crash.”

Herman Hall, 78, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, who was a passenger in the Kia Sorento, later died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to state police.

Lacy declared for the NFL draft on Dec. 19, two days after the crash, but did not play in LSU’s win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl. On Jan. 12, he turned himself in to authorities and was subsequently released on $151,000 bail, according to police records.

Lacy was not invited to this year’s NFL Combine due to his pending legal case. He did participate in LSU’s pro day in March.

Kyren Lacy stats

Lacy was part of a stacked receiving corps at LSU in 2024 that featured first-round picks Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. He took on a bigger role in 2025 and had his best college season.

Here’s a closer look at Lacy’s stats.

Kyren Lacy death reactions

Numerous former LSU stars were among those who reacted to the news of Lacy’s death. 

Odell Beckham Jr. posted an image of himself and Lacy on Instagram, writing, “Rest easy lil bro.”

Angel Reese said Lacy’s death was “so sad,” writing, “Mental health is real. Check on your people!”

Mental health is real. Check on your people! You never know what someone is going through!

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 13, 2025

Leonard Fournette also shared a recent text conversation with Lacy and said he’s “lost for words” after hearing the news.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy with Lacy in his receiving corps, posted several Instagram stories paying tribute to his former teammate.

Jayden Daniels reacts to Kyren Lacy’s tragic death through his IG story pic.twitter.com/zlOrWvw7r3

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) April 13, 2025