Family of Stanford football star who killed himself files wrongful-death lawsuit against school

The family of Stanford soccer star Katie Meyer filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the school nine months after she took her own life.

Meyer’s family argues that Meyer, who was 22 at the time of her death on February 28, was distraught about facing school discipline over an incident that occurred six months earlier.

The lawsuit says Meyer spilled coffee on a football player at the school who had allegedly sexually assaulted one of Meyer’s teammates.

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Stanford Cardinal goalie Katie Meyer during a game.
(John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Meyer, according to the lawsuit, received formal written notice charging her with a “fundamental rule violation” on the day of her death.

Gina and Steven Meyer argue that their daughter had “an acute stress reaction that led her impulsively” to commit suicide. Meyer was being threatened to “withdraw her from the university” and she would not receive her diploma on time.

Stanford goalie Katie Meyer shakes hands with her teammates before a game.

Stanford goalie Katie Meyer shakes hands with her teammates before a game.
(Lyndsay Radnedge/Stanford Athletics via AP)

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Her parents argue in the lawsuit that the notice came “after hours” while Meyer was “alone in her bedroom with no support or resources.”

“We’re just, we’re struggling right now,” Gina Meyer said in March. “We are struggling to find out what happened and why it happened. We are heartbroken, very heartbroken.”

Stanford Cardinal goalie Katie Meyer (19) lifts the trophy after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Division I women's soccer championship at Avaya Stadium on December 8, 2019 in San Jose, California.

Stanford Cardinal goalie Katie Meyer (19) lifts the trophy after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Division I women’s soccer championship at Avaya Stadium on December 8, 2019 in San Jose, California.
(Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

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Meyer won the 2019 national title with the Cardinal after making two great saves on penalty kicks.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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