By BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
Katie Meyer, the star Stanford soccer player whose death sent shockwaves across campus, died by suicide, the Santa Clara County medical examiner-coroner announced yesterday.
Meyer, 22, was a captain and goalkeeper for Stanford Women’s Soccer. She was found in the dorm room where she was a resident assistant on Tuesday, and the university identified her on Wednesday.
The coroner said in a statement that Meyer’s death was self-inflicted and there was no foul play. Further details weren’t released.
Meyer, a senior majoring in International Relations, is at least the third Stanford student to die by suicide in the last 13 months. Medical student Rose Wong, 25, died in her dorm on Feb. 2, 2021. Undergraduate Jacob Meisel, 23, was killed by a train in Palo Alto on Aug. 2. And law student Dylan Simmons, 27, was found dead in his dorm on Jan. 20. The cause of Simmons’ death hasn’t been released.
Hundreds of students gathered on the soccer field on Wednesday to mourn Meyer. She was remembered as a confident and energetic leader and an advocate for women’s sports.
Meyer saved a total of 112 goals in 50 games for Stanford, including two key saves in a championship-game shootout in 2019.
She received an outpouring of tributes from the sports world after her death was announced.
“Katie was an outstanding student-athlete and a beloved, passionate leader here at Stanford,” Athletics Director Bernard Muir said in a statement. “Our entire athletics community is heartbroken.”
Meyer called inspiring
Just Women’s Sports, a media company that Meyer interned for, also said she was a tremendous leader whose energy inspired everyone she knew.
“With every interaction, we felt her passion, charisma and intelligence and humor, the company said in a statement.
The Stanford Women’s Basketball team wore shirts and wristbands with Meyer’s number and initials at their game last night. Meyer was one of the basketball team’s biggest supporters who loved coming to games and making her presence felt. She will have a lasting impact not only on the entire team, but on the university and women’s sports forever, the basketball team said on Twitter.
“Thinking about a life without Katie is a life without an unapologetically authentic, bold and bright person who exuded nothing but confidence,” the team said. “Katie was a legend on and off the field, she was a leader, and her infectious energy and smile carried over into everything she did.”
At the national Women’s Soccer League game between the KC Current and the Orlando Pride, both teams gathered at midfield for a moment of silence.
A memorial fund for Meyer has raised over $130,000.
Meyer is survived by her parents, Steven and Gina, and her sisters, Samantha and Siena.
Help is available
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.