Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
NFL draft prospect Kyren Lacy has died at the age of 24 in an apparent suicide having just been involved in a police pursuit.
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.
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A female family member is understood to have dialled 911 on Saturday night (April 12) after a verbal argument led to Lacy discharging his firearm 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 crashed the car, and when officers approached his vehicle they found him dead with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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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.
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"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!!!!!!!!!!!"
The wide receiver was due to appear in front of a grand jury today following his involvement in a fatal crash in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, back in December.
He was charged with felony hit-and-run, negligent homicide and reckless operation of a vehicle.
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Lacy was alleged to have been driving recklessly at the time when a motorist swerved to avoid his car and crashed head-on into another vehicle.
The driver sadly died shortly after being transported to hospital, a police report stated.
Lacy turned himself into police the following month and was released on bail.
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If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Topics: NFL, Mental Health
Joe Yates