Latest news with #Lacy
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Kyren Lacy's Death at 24 Sheds Light on Black Male Suicide Crisis
Kyren Lacy was a 6-foot-2 Southeastern Conference football player with a broad, if often absent, smile, a love for Buffalo Wild Wings and lemonade. Some sports analysts even predicted that the Louisiana State University senior might go to a National Football League team as early as the second round of the draft this year. Instead, Lacy died by suicide at 24 and was buried on the final day of the NFL draft. The reason why a young person would end their life was, for a few weeks, the subject of rampant speculation, mostly on social media, websites, and podcasts that cater to Black audiences and the sports obsessed. Lacy had talked with friends for years about wanting into the NFL and the league pay that would eliminate his family's financial worries, friends said. Then, in his final months, a tangle of events appeared to endanger that. Speculation about the reasons Lacy ended his life, experts say, is common but not productive or sensitive to family members left behind. Also, there is rarely a single reason, said Janelle R. Goodwill, who has spent the past decade studying Black mental health and suicide prevention. 'People aren't experiencing just one thing in a vacuum,' Goodwill said. Across the population, the list of experiences and conditions that put people at greater risk of suicide is long but for young adults also includes impulsivity — a hallmark of the still developing human brain — and access to guns. In 2023, 55% of all suicides involved a firearm. The uncertainty about what led Lacy to end his life in many ways reflects a growing phenomenon. In the past five years, Black boys and young men are increasingly dying by suicide. During that time, Black male death by suicide grew almost 22%, the second-largest suicide rate increase in the country. Although researchers have struggled to pinpoint a reason for the increase, some of their findings suggest that for Black men and boys, concerns and stressors related to their futures, difficulties expressing distress and seeking help; narrow, even dehumanizing notions of masculinity, life meaning and success all may play some role. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities examined why Black adults age 18 to 30 have considered suicide. The most common reasons subjects reported varied by gender. Black men most frequently reported feeling hopeless about the future. 'It didn't specify the source of hopelessness,' said Goodwill, a psychologist at the University of Chicago whose research focuses on the mental health of Black Americans, suicide prevention and mental health promotion. 'But that is what I am focusing on now, trying to really understand.' In his final season, Lacy tied for the SEC lead for most touchdowns by a receiver. Off the field, Lacy had two younger brothers, a mother, a girlfriend, and a Dodge Charger for which he often expressed love. And when he graduated from LSU in December with a degree in sport management, he posed for all the usual cap and gown pictures with each of his parents. But, the final months of Lacy's life were, objectively, challenging. On Dec. 17, two days before graduation, Lacy was involved in a fatal car crash in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. It took the life of Herman Hall, 78. Police said that Lacy had been speeding and crossed the centerline in a no-passing zone, causing other vehicles to crash, then failed to stop or render aid. Lacy turned himself in to authorities on Jan. 12. He was arrested; booked on charges that included negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle in connection with the December crash; then released on $151,000 bond. Lacy's lawyers disputed state police allegations that Lacy had caused the crash and failed to stop, insisting that both would be disproven in court. Some LSU fans defended Lacy on social media as an innocent man or a 24-year-old who made a terrible mistake. Others described Lacy as an entitled killer and prison bound. By February, the NFL revoked Lacy's invitation to the NFL scouting combine, a 4-day event that allows NFL scouts to evaluate draft prospects' skills. On March 26, Lacy participated in LSU's Pro Day, where NFL staff observe players in action and the details of their performance and body are posted online for all to see. On April 12 in Houston, where Lacy's mother lives, Lacy got into an argument with a relative, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The argument escalated then moved outside where police said Lacy fired a weapon into the ground then drove off. Worried, the relative called the police. Harris County officials described briefly following Lacy in what was not a high speed chase. Then Lacy's car crashed. Inside, officers found Lacy with a fatal gunshot wound. A hearing in his negligent homicide case was scheduled for the following week. Lacy's parents, girlfriend, coaches, lawyers and agent did not respond to requests for comment. Several have issued statements, including Lacy's father, Kenny Lacy. 'Young parents, start talking to your kids at a very early age and make sure they are confident and comfortable confiding in you,' the elder Lacy wrote on Facebook the day after his son died. '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.' It's an alarming warning, much like the nation's suicide data. Perhaps even more alarming: death by suicide is often undercounted or mischaracterized. When Michael Curtis, a California native, moved to Georgia for graduate school, he found himself near a large number of rural communities with significant Black populations. Curtis and his research collaborators found that in these rural places, 1 in 3 Black men had recently experienced suicidal thoughts. Growing up in rural communities with large Black populations today often means living in a community where all sorts of resources — including jobs and opportunities — are scarce, Curtis said. In these environments, it can be difficult to have healthy, trusting relationships of any kind, the study found. By young adulthood, that mistrust can lead to feelings of isolation, which can prompt thoughts of suicide. And those who face more adverse childhood experiences than others were most likely to struggle, said Curtis, who is today a therapist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development. The communities Curtis researched are much like Lacy's hometown, Thibodaux, Louisiana, population 15,626, where the U.S. Census Bureau estimated in 2023 that 22% live in poverty. In Curtis' practice — he specializes in treating boys and young men, many of them Black — there is another issue that often arises. It, too, echoes in what is known about Lacy's life. 'A lot of them are being told that their bodies — either through sports or through manual labor — are the only things that they have to offer,' Curtis said. 'For many men who seem to have a talent for sports, from near birth, they're being told that they are going to be professional athletes one day.' Curtis treated one young man who had made it to the NFL but played a year before an injury forced him out. The man had pivoted into mentoring and coaching, and was distressed by the number of parents describing their 8-year-olds as destined for professional sports and a means to escape poverty or simply retire. Others are surrounded by people who only want to talk to them about their performance or a statistically unlikely pro sports career that, if it happens, is usually over by the time they're 35. Inside the world of Division I college sports, student athletes also face tremendous amounts of pressure to perform and demands on their time and bodies to practice, travel and play. There is pressure to say and do things that appeal to fans and coaches who control their scholarships, any possible future in pro sports and, now, companies and advertisers who control access to name, image and likeness (commonly known as NIL) dollars. The latter gives student athletes the possibility of collecting a fraction of the billions made from college sports but, thus far, only a few have managed substantial income, said N. Jeremi Duru, a lawyer and professor at American University's Washington College of law and a leading expert in legal matters in sports. Some students, particularly student athletes of color, also face a complicated mix of admiration, jealousy, bigotry, and constant high performance expectations. In a December 2023 survey of 23,272 student athletes, the National Collegiate Athletic Association found that the share who reported feeling anxious, sad, or overwhelmed had improved since 2020, but indicators of student athlete distress remained 'relatively high.' The highest rates of mental health struggle were reported by athletes of color, women, and LGBTQ student athletes. Read More: Racism Pervades College Sports. It's Taking an Alarming Toll on Athletes On April 12, NFL wide receiver Malik Nabers was napping when a stream of buzzing sounds from his silenced phone notifications woke him, Nabers recounted on a sports podcast. The texts were notes of condolence. Lacy was dead. On YouTube: LSU Teammate Kyren Lacy hypes up Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers after being drafted in Round 1 Nabers, drafted by the New York Giants in 2024, and Lacy were both sons of Louisiana and raised primarily by their mothers. While they were teammates at LSU, the two often worked out together and remained good friends. Lacy was going through a tough time. Nabers knew that. But 10 hours before his death, Lacy had seemed OK. 'This was like the first person close to me that I've lost,' Nabers said on the podcast. If you are facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, dial 988. Counselors are available free of charge, nationwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The post Kyren Lacy's Death at 24 Sheds Light on Black Male Suicide Crisis appeared first on Capital B News.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Call for urgent reforms to uphold women's health rights
As the world observes the International Day of Action for Women's Health on May 28, doctors and healthcare advocates spotlight the deeply entrenched disparities in healthcare access that women face. They detail that dismissed menstrual pain, barriers to contraception, and delayed cancer diagnoses are just some of the silent battles that many women are fighting daily. Dr Moratwe Masima, a Johannesburg-based medical doctor and fervent advocate for women's health, has made it her mission to fight against these injustices. 'I see it every day. Women suffering in silence. Women normalising pain. Women who've been told to be strong for so long they forget they're allowed to ask for help.' Masima's commitment to women's health mirrors the sentiments echoed by Justine Lacy, Clinical Executive at Profmed, who calls for a radical rethinking of priorities concerning women's healthcare. On this day of global action, the focus is squarely on the unmet health needs of women and girls, especially in terms of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). It is revealed that in South Africa, countless women still lack access to essential healthcare services, from basic contraception to cancer screenings and mental health support, despite protections enshrined in the constitution. The global theme resonates with urgency: 'Our voices, our actions, our demand: Uphold women's health and rights now.' Masima further highlights that women's reproductive health should not be viewed as a luxury but as a fundamental human right. 'When women can't access safe contraception, face delays in abortions, or have their menstrual pain dismissed, we're denying them dignity and choice,' she asserts. It is stated that the statistics are stark; South Africa's maternal mortality rate remains alarmingly high, reflecting systemic issues in the healthcare system. Moreover, many women are still unable to access quality mental healthcare, and taboos surrounding infertility, postpartum depression, and menopause continue to silence women in their most vulnerable moments. Masima also believes in addressing the complete health spectrum of women, stating, 'We need to talk about the whole woman. These are not separate issues; they're deeply connected.' Masima underscores the importance of prevention, noting that delaying a check-up can lead to severe health consequences and even more costly treatment in the long-run. Lacy asserts that medical cover must evolve to meet the comprehensive needs of women's health, spanning from adolescence through menopause. 'Women's health journeys don't begin and end with pregnancy,' she emphasises. She says a comprehensive medical aid cover should include annual check-ups, contraception, fertility support, mental health services, and menopause-related care, whilst ensuring that women can access benefits without facing unnecessary barriers. Lacy notes that often women are unsure about their coverage or are apprehensive about out-of-pocket costs, creating additional hurdles to proper care. Profmed is committed to improving benefit designs that readily reflect the lived realities of women. 'Women are navigating their health while building careers and raising families. We take that seriously,' she explains, highlighting the importance of tailored care that evolves with women's needs. However, Lacy calls for collective responsibility from the broader healthcare industry, urging all sectors to genuinely listen to the challenges women articulate. 'If we want to offer real support, we have to design benefits that reflect women's real lives,' she stresses. Saturday Star
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Georgetown father mourns daughter, victim of apparent murder-suicide
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A father has been without his daughter for more than a week. Steve Williams said that while nothing can bring her back, he hopes her death raises awareness of domestic violence. 32-year-old Lacy Williams was found shot near Grace Street and Cleveland Avenue in Danville on May 9. 67-year-old William Rudy died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound the same day. Lacy's father, Steve, said the two knew each other for about seven years, and had been dating for part of that time. Danville police officers said they found Lacy lying in the front yard of a house while Rudy was inside. Woman arrested in Danville for illegal weapon, drug possession Steve said she had just given birth to her third child about two weeks before her death. She was working to overcome addiction when her life was cut short. 'Friday, May 9, the day it happened, she was supposed to go to rehab for DCFS [and] jump through the hoops, and she didn't go,' Steve said. 'She was supposed to go [at] 4 o'clock and she called and told me, 'Dad, I'm going to go get clean' and I said, 'Ok, if you need anything let me know, call me whenever.' She never made it.' Steve said Lacy's newborn is staying with the Rudy's family. He also said there's no bad blood between the two sides as they're both mourning their loved ones. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Kansas City man sentenced for stabbing man to death with screwdriver
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 34-year-old Kansas City man was sentenced on Friday for in 2023. Phillip Lacy was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty , according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. Driver never found after multi-county chase ends in crash in KCK Lacy was sentenced to 15 years for voluntary manslaughter and three years for armed criminal action. The deadly stabbing happened Nov. 10, 2023, at a vacant building near 24th Street and Elmwood Avenue. Court records say someone called 911, saying someone had been stabbed about 15-20 times. When police arrived, first responders took the victim, later identified as 52-year-old Bryan Hoover, to the hospital, where he later died. A witness told detectives she, Hoover and Lacy were inside the vacant building when Hoover and Lacy allegedly got into a fight. The witness said Lacy then stabbed Hoover with a screwdriver. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Police took Lacy into custody in March 2024 on an unrelated call for service. In an interview with detectives, Lacy denied any knowledge of Hoover's death or being in the building that night. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UDR boosts retention in Q1
This story was originally published on Multifamily Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Multifamily Dive newsletter. UDR's decision to focus on keeping heads in beds in the first quarter seemed to pay off. The Highlands Ranch, Colorado-based REIT posted a 97.2% occupancy rate, 0.2% higher than its 2024 Q1 average and 40 basis points above Q4 2024. 'This strategic decision to build occupancy during the seasonally slower leasing period helped to drive revenue and NOI outperformance to start the year, and positions us well as we enter our traditional leasing season,' Chief Operating Officer Mike Lacy said on UDR's Q1 earnings call earlier this month. UDR's occupancy beat JPMorganChase 96.7% estimate, but its blended lease spreads of 0.9% fell below the global financial services firm's 1.3% projection. 'The better top-line performance was mainly driven by better occupancy, perhaps at a small cost to spreads,' said Anthony Paolone, executive director at JPMorgan, in a research note shared with Multifamily Dive. 'That said, the company noted that its business continues to accelerate with better new lease spreads and renewal spreads in the mid-4s.' In 2024, U.S. multifamily completions hit a 50-year high, but starts are declining. 'A future supply pipeline that is below historical averages bodes well for rent growth in the years ahead,' UDR CEO Tom Toomey said on the call. As supply abates and seasonal trends kick in, UDR expects blended lease growth to continue improving. Lacy projects it to be toward the high end of the 1.4% to 1.8% range by the end of the first half of the year. 'We feel confident in the trajectory of rental rate growth as renewal rate growth has held steady in the mid-4% range and new lease rate growth has improved sequentially since the start of the year,' Lacy said. UDR's traffic is on pace with historical norms at this time of year, and its 30-day availability is approximately 4%, which should keep occupancy in the mid- to high-96% range for the rest of 2025, according to Lacy. In addition, April was the 24th consecutive month the REIT's year-over-year turnover improved. Category Q1 YOY Change Rental income $405 million 2.6% Net operating income $276.4 million 2.8% Operating expenses $128.6 million 2.3% FFO per diluted share $0.58 -3% Rent per unit $3,117 2.6% Occupancy rate 97.2% 0.2% SOURCE: UDR UDR's YOY same-store expense growth of 2.3% in Q1 beat its expectations. 'These positive results were driven by favorable real estate taxes, insurance savings and constrained repair and maintenance expenses due to our improved resident retention,' Lacy said. Despite those solid trends, UDR didn't change its full-year guidance. 'We feel good about 2025 thus far, but we have only completed the first four months of the year,' Toomey said. 'Accordingly, and [as] is customary for UDR at this time of year, we have reaffirmed our full-year 2025 guidance, and we'll reassess as we progress through peak leasing season.' The East Coast, which has 40% of the REIT's NOI, was UDR's strongest region in Q1. The region's occupancy sat at 97.5%, its blended lease rate growth was 2.5% and its same-store revenue growth was approximately 4.5%, which was slightly above the firm's full-year expectation for the region. Despite concerns about federal funding cuts, Washington, D.C., ranked as its best-performing market in the region with 97.7% occupancy and 3.5% YOY blended rent increases that trended to 4% in April. 'DC is one that's been strong to start the year — one that we're watching very closely,' Lacy said. 'We will pivot as necessary, as we kind of go through the year like we do with all of our properties in all of our markets.' On the West Coast, comprising roughly 35% of UDR's NOI, the REIT posted 97.2% occupancy, a blended lease rate growth of nearly 3% and same-store revenue growth of almost 3%. 'We continue to see positive momentum across Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area due to return-to-office mandates, increased office leasing activity and quality-of-life improvements,' Lacy said. In the Sun Belt, occupancy was 97.1%, blended lease rate growth was negative 2.5% and YOY same-store revenue growth was barely positive. 'Among our Sun Belt markets, Tampa and Orlando are performing the best,' Lacy said. Click here to sign up to receive multifamily and apartment news like this article in your inbox every weekday.
