Cause Of Death Announced For Stanford Star Katie Meyer

PALO ALTO, CA — Stanford women’s soccer team captain Katie Meyer died by suicide, the County of Santa Clara Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office announced Thursday.

Meyer, 22, died in an on-campus residence Tuesday. There was no foul play involved in her death, the coroner’s office said in a statement.

Meyer’s death prompted an outpouring of reaction from the sports community.

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Meyer’s parents, Gina and Steven Meyer, said in an emotional interview on NBC’s "Today" Friday that they were struggling to process the loss of their daughter.

“The last couple days are like a parents’ worst nightmare, and you don’t wake up from it,” Gina Meyer said. “So it’s just horrific.”

Gina and Steven Meyer spoke to their daughter just hours before her death, and “she was jovial,” according to Steven Meyer.

“She was excited,” Gina Meyer said. ”She had a lot on her plate. She had a lot going on. But she was happy. She was in great spirits.”

Katie Meyer’s parents said that she had received an email over a possible disciplinary action from the university because she was defending a teammate over an incident on campus.

“This is the only thing that we can come up with that triggered something,” Gina Meyer said.

In a statement to "Today," Stanford said it could not share information about “confidential student disciplinary matters.”

Gina Meyer said she and Steven were “heartbroken” and would like to know “what happened and why it happened.”

Gina Meyer wore one of Katie’s red sweatshirts in the interview.

“When you smell it, it just smells like her,” Gina Meyer said. “It smells like Katie.”

There are several other resources available for those contemplating taking their own life and/or those who know someone who is:

• HELPLine - 24 Hour Crisis/Suicide Intervention The HELPline is a free, confidential Crisis/Suicide Intervention service. Operated by highly trained volunteers, the line is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week.Phone: (951) 686-HELP (4357)
• Veterans Crisis Line The Veterans Crisis Line is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resource that connects Veterans in crisis or their families and friends with qualified, caring VA professionals. Confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Phone: (800)-273-8255 Press 1
• The Trevor Lifeline National organization providing crisis and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) Youth866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)

Related:

• 'Fly High Angel': Tributes Pour In For Stanford's Katie Meyer
• Stanford Women's Soccer Team Captain Dies In On-Campus Residence