NFL prospect Kyren Lacy found d-ead at 24 - His father makes a heartbreaking statement

Warning: This article contains discussion of su!cide which some readers may find distressing

The sudden loss of a young athlete sparked a father’s grief — and a heartfelt plea for parents to look more closely at their children’s hidden struggles.

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

The former Louisiana State University (LSU) student had declared for this season’s NFL draft having played a starring role for the LSU Tigers last year, but was involved in a car chase with cops who showed up to respond to a welfare call.

A female family member is understood to have dialled 911 on Saturday night (April 12) after a verbal argument led to Lacy discharging his fire@rm into the ground.

When officers arrived at the premises, they discovered that he had already fled in his vehicle – when police in the area spotted him they attempted to pull him over but he instead drove off.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Lacy cr@shed the car, and when officers approached his vehicle they found him d.ead with a suspected self-inflicted g.unsh0t wound.

Kyren Lacy warms up before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, on September 30, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Now, his dad Kenny Lacy has issued a heartbreaking statement calling on parents to speak openly about mental health.

“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.

“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!!!!!!!!!!!”

At the time of his d,eath, Kyren faced multiple charges related to a December 17 crash in Louisiana that k!lled 78-year-old Herman Hall. Police said Kyren drove recklessly, caused the collision, and fled the scene.

He turned himself in on January 12 and was released on $151,000 bond. A grand jury was scheduled to review the case the following Monday.

Despite the legal troubles, Kyren had declared for the National Football League (NFL) Draft just two days after the crash. He was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but participated in LSU’s Pro Day in March.