Former LSU Star Kyren Lacy Dead at 24 After Tragic Fall from Grace
The story of Kyren Lacy was supposed to be one of perseverance, talent, and a future in the NFL. Instead, it has become one of the most shocking and heartbreaking tragedies college football has seen in recent memory.
Lacy, a standout wide receiver at LSU, was found dead in Houston on April 12, 2025, only two days before he was scheduled to appear before a grand jury on charges coming from a fatal car accident in his hometown of Thibodaux, Louisiana. His death was ruled a suicide.
The Incident That Changed Everything
On December 17, 2024, Lacy was allegedly involved in a high speed car accident in Lafourche Parish. According to Louisiana State Police, Lacy was driving a Dodge Charger and illegally passed several cars at high speeds in a no-passing zone. The result was a chain reaction car crash that led to the death of 78 year old Herman Hall, a former U.S. Marine.
Lacy fled the scene and never reported the incident.
Just two days later, despite the wreck appearing in local headlines, Lacy declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Legal Fallout and Mounting Pressure
An arrest warrant was issued for Lacy in January 2025. He was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless driving. Lacy turned himself in and posted a $151,000 bond while awaiting trial.
He withdrew from NFL Draft combine, LSU pro day and quickly disappeared from the public eye. The once beloved LSU star quickly became a controversial figure with fans, analysts, and the football community torn between his talent of football and the severity of his alleged actions.
A Tragic End to a Complicated Story
A grand jury was set to review evidence in the case on April 14, 2025.
But Lacy would never make it to court. On April 12, just two days before his hearing, he had taken his own life in Houston.
This tragic story leaves a trail of heartbreak. The Hall family continues to grieve the loss of their loved one. The LSU community mourns a player they once cheered for every Saturday night in Death Valley. And the football world is left wondering what could have been.
While LSU looks ahead to the future with young stars like Shelton Sampson Jr. just starting his collegiate career. The shadow of Lacy’s story will not be forgotten
His rise was historic. His fall was tragic. And his story will forever serve as a reminder that talent can only take you so far but it’s your actions that can change a life.
I am a 22-year-old senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, currently completing my first semester of senior year with an expected graduation in December of 2025. I am pursuing a double major in Sports Law and Finance, along with a minor in Marketing. My lifelong passion for the NFL fuels from a young age as it has been a dream since childhood to become an NFLPA-certified players agent, and while I appreciate every aspect of the National Football League, I am especially devoted to the Philadelphia Eagles.