Report: JMU Softball Player Lauren Bernett Died by Suicide
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Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
The Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday that James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett died by suicide, per USA Today.
The 20-year-old was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week just a few days ago after a dominant performance in the three-game sweep against Drexel. Bernett hit .778 with seven RBIs in the series that concluded Sunday.
JMU announced her death Tuesday.
We love you, Lauren 💜💔 pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG
— JMU Softball (@JMUSoftball) April 26, 2022
“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes,” James Madison president Jonathan Alger wrote in a statement. “Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. … College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. We are a tight family. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. We will miss her dearly.”
The McDonald, Pa., native majored in biology with a minor in pre-veterinary medicine. She played a critical role in the program’s College World Series run in 2021.
JMU canceled the three-game series against Delaware this weekend in wake of her death, and the school and athletic department shared mental health resources for the student body.
Other JMU teams and programs across the country honored Bernett’s memory following the announcement.
JMU softball player Lauren Bernett’s initials are written in athletic tape above the Dukes’ baseball dugout at Virginia Tech. pic.twitter.com/IvnfRuspJu
— Noah Fleischman (@fleischman_noah) April 27, 2022
Beautiful touch @AggieSoftball, in memory of Lauren Bernett.💜@aggiefieldstaff always comes through.
— Amanda Scarborough (@ascarborough) April 27, 2022
The entire softball community is thinking about you @JMUSoftball, and Lauren’s friends, family & the JMU community. pic.twitter.com/Kc6CUumPPz
An incredibly sad and emotional scene this afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park where members of the #JMU community set up a memorial for Lauren Bernett
— TJ Eck (@TJEck_TV) April 26, 2022
(Video via @WHSVPeri)https://t.co/bWXNVwxyau pic.twitter.com/GT824IxQk5
For Lauren 💜 pic.twitter.com/UP5fQoT6vD
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) April 27, 2022
It’s more than a game.
— George Mason Softball (@MasonSoftball) April 27, 2022
Thinking of @JMUSoftball today 💜#BeDauntless pic.twitter.com/jmvmVQlHEG
LB 💜💜💜 @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/v0kGY6g1Mh
— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) April 27, 2022
Mental Health Matters. Sometimes those who are struggling the most, hide it the best. Check in on your people. Tell them you love them. You never know when it’s gonna be your last chance. I miss you. And I’ll continue to share how great of a person, teammate, and friend you were. pic.twitter.com/YXiW4YE0Eg
— Liss Humphrey (@lisshumphrey) April 27, 2022
𝙒𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙣 💜💛
— Virginia Tech Baseball (@HokiesBaseball) April 27, 2022
≫ @JMUSoftball
≫ @JMUBaseball pic.twitter.com/fli94WCNbc
Today we are playing for something more than just softball.
— Charlotte Softball (@CharlotteSB) April 27, 2022
Our hearts go to @JMUSoftball and Lauren’s family.💜💛 pic.twitter.com/xt7fxDWJDs