Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy had 48 hours left before facing a grand jury. The 24-year-old was charged with negligent homicide in a Highway 20 crash that killed 78-year-old Herman Hall back in December 2024.
Louisiana State Police built their case on witness statements and speed claims. Lacy’s attorney Matthew Ory had surveillance footage that told a different story. But Lacy never made it to that courtroom to see the evidence clear his name.
Kyren Lacy Killed Himself Two Days Before Video Would Have Proven His Innocence
Lacy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a Houston police chase on April 12, 2025. He was running from Louisiana authorities with homicide charges hanging over him. Five months later, the video evidence that his lawyer promised was dropped publicly.
Surveillance footage released on October 3 shows that Lacy was 72.6 yards behind the initial collision when Hall’s vehicle crashed.
Ory presented the evidence during a 44-minute HTV interview, including body camera footage of a state trooper coaching witnesses at the scene. The trooper can be heard directing people on what to say about Lacy’s driving.
The district attorney’s investigation backed up Ory’s claims from day one. A crash report portion obtained by the attorney stated that “the evidence submitted in the crash report does not support that Kyren Lacy should have known that his actions were the cause of the crash.”
State Police charged Lacy anyway with negligent homicide and multiple traffic violations despite their own DA finding the evidence didn’t support it.
Ory stated in February that none of the vehicles Lacy passed collided with his car. The fatal crash happened ahead of where Lacy was driving on the highway. The surveillance footage proves every defense Ory made, but it came too late.
Lacy once posted on Instagram about foundations built on hate and platforms built on getting back. His NFL dreams died the moment homicide charges hit his record. No team touches prospects facing those accusations.
He watched his future collapse for five months over a crash he didn’t cause, knowing video existed somewhere that could save him. The pressure of waiting for justice that might never come killed him before the truth could set him free.
His family and fans point to the slow collapse under a broken system. They see it as the real cause of his death.
NFL Fans Rip Apart Investigation That Drove Kyren Lacy to His Death
Social media exploded after the surveillance footage dropped. One fan wrote, “Of course the police lied and covered it up.”
A second added, “Whenever the crimes of whites show up, the Supremacists simply drink an invisibility potion.” The comment referenced systemic issues with how authorities handle cases involving young Black men.
The third fan pointed out, “Never trust what they say. NEVER!!!” The sentiment captured widespread distrust of law enforcement narratives that don’t match video evidence.
The fourth fan asked the obvious question nobody can answer, “Genuine question, where was this footage the whole time?” The surveillance video existed during Lacy’s arrest, court proceedings, and months of facing charges that destroyed his future.
Louisiana State Police built a case against Lacy, but the district attorney’s office couldn’t support it with evidence.
The investigation leaned on witness statements. Body camera footage shows troopers coaching those witnesses at the scene.
Lacy died believing he’d spend years fighting charges for a crash he didn’t cause. He never knew if anyone would believe the truth.
