The heartbroken father of LSU wide receiver and NFL draft prospect Kyren Lacy has broken his silence after his son’s sudden death at age 24.
The aspiring pro athlete, who had declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in Houston Saturday night following an apparent suicide.
Taking to social media Sunday night, his distraught dad Kenny Lacy urged parents to check on their children’s mental wellbeing.
“Young parents, start talking to your kids at a very early age and make sure they are confident and comfortable confiding in you,” Kenny wrote on Facebook following his son’s death, which came just two weeks before the NFL draft.
“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 [and] 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,” Kenny went on. “This has to be the biggest pill our families have had to swallow, but I know the love and compᴀssion in our families will get us through.”
“This will never get easier, but we’ll learn to live with it,” he concluded. “Check on your kids mental!!!!!!!!!!!”
Kyren’s death came months after he was arrested for his alleged involvement in a crash that killed a 78-year-old man in Dec. 2024.
Kyren, who took part in LSU’s pro day on March 26, was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death, reckless operation of a vehicle, and leaving the scene without notifying authorities.
Kyren had turned himself in on Jan. 12 before being released on a $151,000 bond.
He had been scheduled to report before a grand jury on April 14.
His lawyer Matthew Ory has since released a statement criticizing the investigation regarding his client’s arrest, saying the “witch hunt” into the athlete was “targeted and overzealous.”
“We were very confident the evidence, after being fully collected and reviewed, would lead to a declination of charges,’’ the statement read, first released by WAFB-TV.
Prior to his untimely death, Kyren had declared for the 2025 NFL draft, slated for April 24.
“LSU has truly made a big impact on my life on and off the field these past three years,” he said in a statement on Instagram in December.
“Playing in Death Valley, for the best fans in the country, was an experience I will never forget. Not too many people get to fulfill a dream like this. I am forever grateful for it.”
“I am so appreciative of my support system (family, trainers, mentors, etc) who have been there for me through the highs and the lows. Thank y’all for always believing in me! With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft,” he added.
The wide receiver, who began his college career at Louisiana-Lafayette, transferred to LSU and played three seasons there.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
