HOUSTON — Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy was found dead Saturday night in Houston in what is being reported as an apparent suicide, an LSU official confirmed to Channel2 NOW on Sunday.

Lacy, 24, had recently faced legal troubles stemming from a fatal hit-and-run incident in December, and was considered a potential first-round NFL Draft prospect prior to the allegations.

Lacy’s death comes just two days before a Louisiana grand jury was scheduled to hear evidence in connection to the December 17 crash in Lafourche Parish, which resulted in the death of 78-year-old Herman Hall, of Thibodaux, Louisiana.

The incident severely impacted Lacy’s professional trajectory and public standing.

According to a Louisiana State Police report, Lacy was allegedly driving a 2023 Dodge Charger at a high rate of speed on Louisiana Highway 20.

Authorities say he recklessly passed multiple vehicles by crossing into oncoming traffic within a designated no-passing zone. This action reportedly caused a chain reaction.

A pickup truck traveling northbound was forced to brake and swerve to avoid a head-on collision. Behind that vehicle, a 2017 Kia Cadenza also swerved to avoid the Charger, but in doing so, crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound 2017 Kia Sorento.

Herman Hall, a passenger in the Sorento, later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

Investigators stated that Lacy did not stop at the scene to render aid or notify authorities.

Instead, he allegedly fled, leaving others to deal with the aftermath of the devastating collision.

Lacy turned himself in to authorities on January 12 and was booked into the Lafourche Parish jail on several charges, including:

• Negligent homicide
• Felony hit-and-run resulting in death
• Reckless operation of a vehicle

He was later released on a $151,000 bond. His agent, Rocky Arceneaux, stated at the time that Lacy was “fully cooperating with the authorities.”

Before the incident, Lacy was widely considered one of the top receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper had ranked him as high as No. 6 among wide receivers in December.

However, following the crash and subsequent charges, his stock plummeted, and he was no longer listed among the top 10 wideouts in Kiper’s latest rankings.

Lacy began his collegiate career at Louisiana before transferring to LSU, where he played three seasons. In 2023, he posted career-best numbers with 58 receptions for 866 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns.

He declared for the NFL Draft on December 19—just two days after the fatal crash—and did not participate in LSU’s Texas Bowl victory over Baylor. He later took part in LSU’s Pro Day in March.

The news of Lacy’s death shocked the LSU community and football world. While no official cause of death has been publicly released, multiple sources have indicated that Lacy died by suicide.

The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.

This tragic case has left a trail of unanswered questions, mourning families, and a promising career cut short by a series of devastating choices and consequences.

LSU officials and former teammates have not yet released public statements.