Kyren Lacy's Dad Addresses Son's Death: 'Mental Health Is Real'

Kyren Lacy’s father has released a statement mourning the death of his son. 

In a Facebook post, Kenny Lacy expressed the importance of having conversations with children. “Young parents, start talking to your kids at a very early age and make sure they are confident and comfortable confiding in you,” wrote Kenny. “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," he added. “Our lives have changed forever and this will never be ok, but God needed my baby more than he was needed here."

Lacy ended his message by explaining how his son’s death is impacting him. "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,” expressed Lacy. “This will never get easier, but we'll learn to live with it. Check on your kids' mental!!!!!!!!!!!”

Kyren died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 13. When authorities tried to initiate a traffic stop on his vehicle, following him fleeing the scene of an argument with family, a pursuit occurred. Police discovered what Kyren did after the car crashed.

In a statement to PEOPLE, LSU released a statement about their former star football player, writing that they are “saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”

After his death, Kyren's lawyer came to his defense and claimed that the media was treating the hit-and-run situation like a "witch hunt."

“We were very confident the evidence, after being fully collected and reviewed, would lead to a declination of charges,’’ said his attorney, Matthew Ory, according to WAFB-TV.

Kyren’s death came just one day before he was set to see a grand jury in a hit-and-run case that caused the death of a 78-year-old man in October. Prosecutors alleged that he was speeding on a Louisiana highway when he crossed a centerline, leading two cars to swerve out of the way, with one of them crashing into a vehicle carrying Herman Hall, who died. 

Lacy was facing charges of negligent homicide, reckless operation, and hit-and-run. He declared for the 2025 NFL Draft just two days after the crash.