Lauren Bernett, a star player on James Madison University's softball team, has died at age 20. Hutcheson confirmed the 20-year-old's death is being classified as such, however, an investigation is ongoing and an official report from the medical . 8:35 pm ET, Jamie Cail's death being investigated in Virgin Islands, 2023 Kentucky Derby horses, futures picks, best bets, Maine HS basketball game ends with wild buzzer-beater, 2023 Rebel Stakes odds, horse racing picks, 2023 Saudi Cup odds, horse racing picks, best bets, Where every state stands on legalizing sports betting. You looked so good yesterday. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. James Madison University softball catcher Lauren Bernett is believed to have died of an apparent suicide, Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson announced Thursday (April 28) via WJLA.com. ", Lauren Bernett has been named the conference Player of the Week after her impressive performance this weekend! https://t.co/954Q6Gnhe2#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/ssxzJh6uTA. 22 hours ago, Lauren Bernett was named the CAA softball Player of the Week. Just days later, in a series against Drexel on April 23, she logged hits in seven of her nine at-bats. Mental health resources for student-athletes becoming priority at colleges, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. James Madison announced Tuesday that softball team catcher Lauren Bernett had died. Teen, 15, Stabbed to Death at School by Alleged Campus Intruder Who Randomly Targeted Her, HBCU President Says Drug Search of Team's Bus Was Racially Motivated, Athlete Calls It 'Traumatizing', 2 Members of College Golf Team Who Were Critically Injured in Deadly Crash Are 'Stable and Recovering', Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week. In a statement announcing the sad news Tuesday morning: Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes, officials said We are a tight family. PitcherMeredith Wells called Bernett "a light to so many." "Our thoughts are with her family; her coaches, teammates and friends; the rest of our department staff and student-athletes; and the entire JMU community," Alger and Bourne said in their statement. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. James Madison University softball catcher Lauren Bernett is believed to have died of an apparent suicide, Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson announced Thursday via WJLA.com. She had just been named the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week on Monday after a strong performance in a series against Drexel over the weekend. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY 4/26/2022. Keep shining. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. 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Bernett was named the Colonial Athletic Associations player of the week on Monday. Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. The Dukes, who made the Women's College World Series last year, will finish the . 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. How JMU catcher Lauren Bernett's death rocked college softball and pushed it to action on mental health 0:00 2:26 Jenni Carlson Oklahoman Less than 24 hours before her team's biggest series. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day," a school statement said. ", LIVE NOW: 3 Men Convicted In Ahmaud Arbery Killing Learn Sentence, It's Official Twitter Confirms Elon Musk New Owner, Sam Bruce St. Thomas Aquinas HS Football Legend Found Dead At 24. Bernett went 7-for-9 in the series, hitting .788 with seven RBIs and four runs scored, the school said. "The official report from the medical examiner's office is pending, and out of respect for her family and friends, there is no other information to release at this time," Hutcheson told the AP via email. She was 20. Shulzes family announced the devastating news, saying she "took her own life" earlier in April. We love you, Lauren, the JMU softball team said in a tweet on Tuesday. Its county seat is the independent city of Harrisonburg. We will miss her dearly. A day after pitcher Alissa Humphrey tweeted the news of Bernett's death "really hurts," the sophomore wrote about how her light continues to shine. The Dukes then beat Oklahoma and Oklahoma State before losing back-to-back games to the Sooners in the WCWS. James Madison University softball star Lauren Bernett -- who was just named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week on Monday -- has died, the school announced. It's the second tragedy to rock US college sports this month after the death of University of Wisconsin athletics star Sarah Shulze at the age of 21. In a game against College of Charleston on April 16, she recorded three hits and seven RBIs a JMU record. Seattle's Sports Leader, 93.3 KJR FM - Home of the Huskies and Kraken, Seattles Best NFL Draft Coverage, the NFL and Super Bowl, March Madness, Final Four and the Seattle Sounders! Lauren Bernett was a member of JMU's 2021 College World Series-winning team. The award came after Bernett and the team faced Drexel University over the weekend. Four of those hits went for extra bases. The sophomore was just days removed from going 7-for-9, hitting a home run and seven RBI, as well as scoring four runs during James Madison's three-game sweep of Drexel over the weekend. We love you, Lauren pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG. Last month, the parents of Stanford Women's Soccer goalie Katie Meyer revealed their daughter had died by suicide during an emotional interview with NBC's TODAY Show. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.". Bernett, a sophomore catcher from McDonald, Pennsylvania, was a key contributor for James Madison last season on its way to a surprise showing inthe 2021 Women's College World Series. Meyer, 22, a senior majoring in International Relations and minoring in History, was a team captain for the Cardinal, guiding Stanford to a 2019 national championship as a redshirt freshman. She was a key member of our 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year," Alger said in a statement released to JMUSports.com. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day," a school statement read. section: | slug: james-madison-university-softball-player-lauren-bernetts-death-classified-as-a-suicide-per-report | sport: other | route: article_single.us | Yes! ", "Our thoughts are with her family; her coaches, teammates and friends; the rest of our department staff and student-athletes; and the entire JMU community. The American college sports community has been left heartbroken by another tragedy, after news that James Madison University (JMU) softball star Lauren Bernett has died at the age of 20. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. Earlier this week, Bernett wasnamed Colonial Athletic AssociationPlayer of the Weekas the Dukes swept a three-game setfrom Drexel. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I love you forever and always. The school announced her death Tuesday, and the following day Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson classified it as an apparent suicide,according to the Associated Press. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call theU.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or go toSpeakingOfSuicide.com/resourcesfor additional resources. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced on Tuesday. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together. Bernett who was batting .336 this season with nine home runs was also a key contributor to the James Madison squad that made a deep run in the 2021 Womens College World Series. The university's athletic department announced the tragic news Tuesday, but did not list a . James Madison University softball catcherLauren Bernettis believed to have died of an apparent suicide, Rockingham County SheriffBryan Hutchesonannounced Thursday viaWJLA.com. James Madison softball was one of the most fun stories of the 2021 spring college sports season. The Dukes' doubleheaderon Wednesday against Longwood wascanceled and the school sent out messages offeringsupport for mental health. "Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. By THECOUNT.COM "ALWAYS OPEN! All Rights Reserved. Bernett, 20, played a major role. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. I love you Lauren pic.twitter.com/lDVFWykasX, Former JMU star Odicci Alexander, Softball America's 2021 Pitcher of the Year, wrote "Love you LB" with a broken heart emoji two minutes before tweeting "You really never know what someone is going through.". JMU beat Liberty and Tennessee to win the Knoxville regional and then took down Missouri in three games to advance to the College World Series. The school did not release a cause of death in its announcement. Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. Star pitcher Odicci Alexander posted to Twitter Tuesday morning that she was heartbroken about Bernett's death. James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. In a combined statement, JMU president Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne said their "hearts are aching" over the death of the young softball star. Shulze, of Oak Park, California, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the 2020 and 2021 cross country seasons, as well as 2021 for track. https://t.co/QettsmChF0, Today, the JMU athletic community gathered to honor JMU softball's Lauren Bernett, who passed away yesterday.https://t.co/kY0hLvpMdH pic.twitter.com/mtT0DBNm5C, TheBreezeJMU (@TheBreezeJMU) April 27, 2022, Lauren Bernett will always be remembered by #JMUNation for her role on the @JMUSoftball WCWS team. I am so thankful that you were put in my life, and I will always cherish the time I had with you on the field and off the field. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett, who helped her team reach the final four of the College World Series last year, has died. Representatives for the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Lauren you are forever in our hearts. Bernett was a sophomore from McDonald, Pennsylvania. News of Bernett's death comes amid a recent trend of reported deaths by suicide amount NCAA female athletes. The Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday that Bernett, 20, died by suicide. She was 20. James Madison president Jonathan Alber announced Bernett's death on Tuesday (April 26), just days after she was named as the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week and months removed propelling the softball team to a Women's College World Series tournament appearance last season. She had just earned Colonial Athletic Association. Alex Riley (@ByAlexRiley) April 26, 2022, Two female college athletes died this week, one confirmed suicide:Sarah Shulze - University of Wisconsin trackLauren Bernett - James Madison softballAbsolutely heartbreaking. Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid federal pressure to lower costs of life-saving medication, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. James Madison president Jonathan Alber announced Bernett's death on Tuesday (April 26), just days after she was named as the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week and months removed propelling the softball team to a Women's College World Series tournament appearance last season. STAY UP-TO-DATE: Subscribe to our Sports newsletter now! Shulze, of Oak Park, California, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the 2020 and 2021 cross country seasons, as well as 2021 for track. All rights reserved, Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Forecast: When to Expect the Blossoms to Peak, Conservative Justices Question Biden's Debt Relief Plan, But Appear Skeptical of States' Standing, Mother of Man Fatally Shot by Officers Outside Tysons Mall Calls for Independent Investigation, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside. If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S.National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke," they said. Odicci Alexander (@2seas__) April 26, 2022. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. Crisis Text Linealso provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. RELATED VIDEO: Cristiano Ronaldo to Miss Manchester United Game as He Mourns the Death of His Newborn Son. 10 months ago. James Madison PresidentJonathan Alberannounced Bernett's death on Tuesday (April 26), just days after she was named as the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week and months removed from propelling the softball team to a Women's College World Series tournament appearance last season. "We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke," their statement read. Ms. Bernett's manner. Fellow pitcher Alexis Bermudez tweeted she loves Bernett and hopes she's "with all the puppies (she) can handle.". ", "Our thoughts are with her family; her coaches, teammates and friends; the rest of our department staff and student-athletes; and the entire JMU community. On the day that doubleheader was set to take place, the Dukes announced this weekend's three-game series against Delaware is also cancelled. The news of Bernett's death comes just a day after she was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. She was an integral part of the James Madison team that made it to the 2021 Women's College World Series. She was 20 years old. "We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett died by suicide, the Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday. Bernett, a sophomore, had been the program's. A cause of death was not provided. "Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program.". James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. LB @JMUSoftball pic.twitter.com/v0kGY6g1Mh, Many of Bernett's teammates shared their reactions to the tragic news on social media. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.". ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. In a game against College of Charleston on April 16, she recorded three hits and seven RBIs -- a JMU record. Fly high sweet girl pic.twitter.com/p9Mf4pub8m. She was 20 years old. No cause of death has been released. April 27 (UPI) -- James Madison softball catcher Lauren Bernett, who helped lead the university to a historic run to the Women's College World Series, died by apparent suicide, authorities said. She had easily eclipsed those totals in 2022 with nine homers and 33 RBI while increasing her slugging percentage by 250 points. CNN James Madison University said it will cancel the remainder of its softball season as the death of student athlete Lauren Bernett was ruled a suicide. Just a tragic loss.https://t.co/bWXNVwxyau pic.twitter.com/fWj1w5eOwS, JMU softball took the country by storm last year and Lauren Bernett played a huge part in that. Crisis Text Linealso provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. The University announced its home softball doubleheader against Longwood University on Wednesday has subsequently been canceled. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: general | pageType: stories | https://t.co/954Q6Gnhe2#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/ssxzJh6uTA, JMU Softball (@JMUSoftball) April 25, 2022. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett died by suicide, the Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes," James Madison University President Jonathan Alger and Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said in a joint statement on Tuesday. Bernett . ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA. (THECOUNT) Lauren Bernett, a James Madison University softball star who on Monday was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week, has died. FOX Sports Radio. She was there, alongside Odicci Alexander and the rest of the Dukes, during some of their biggest moments in OKC last June. News of Bernett's death comes amid a recent trend of reported deaths by suicide amount NCAA female athletes. Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. We extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to Sarahs family, friends and Badger teammates during this extraordinarily difficult time. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.". On Monday, the CAA handed her its Player of the Week award for her performances. In order to improve our community experience, we are temporarily suspending article commenting, Score the biggest stories of the week with our newsletter, Pour Salt Down Your Drain At Night, Here's Why. Sarah Shulze, a member of the University of Wisconsin's women's track and field and cross-country teams, was reported to have died by suicide earlier this month at the age of 21,NBC Newsreported on Monday. Along with Harrisonburg, Rockingham County forms the Harrisonburg, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area Wikipedia. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call theU.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or go toSpeakingOfSuicide.com/resourcesfor additional resources. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. "Her deep compassion was evident in her devotion to her sisters Abbey and Ella, the love her parents felt from her every single day, and the extra care she took in moments shared with her grandparents and cousins.. "Like you, we are shocked and grief stricken while holding on tightly to all that Sarah was. She was just 20 years. Star pitcher Odicci Alexander posted to Twitter Tuesday morning that she was heartbroken about Bernett's death, with similar tributes flooding social media after the tragic news. The James Madison University softball team has canceled all remaining games of the 2022 season following the death of star catcher Lauren Bernett, head coach Loren LaPorte announced Monday.. The James Madison University softball team canceled the remainderof its 2022 season after the death of player Lauren Bernett last Monday. Bernett, a sophomore catcher from McDonald, Pennsylvania, started 43 of 45 games for a James Madison team that reached the College World Series. MORE: Mental health resources for student-athletes becoming priority at colleges. Washington. Odicci Alexander (@2seas__) April 26, 2022. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. Bernett, a sophomore, was a star catcher for the Dukes and had just had arguably her best week ever on the diamond for JMU. Lauren Bernettwas a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. JMU described Bernett as "a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program". Sarah was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, teammate and Badger student-athlete, the university said in a statement. The school did not release a cause of death in its announcement. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Lauren's memory while finishing the academic semester strong. May 2, 2022. Lauren Bernett has been named the conference Player of the Week after her impressive performance this weekend! Just days later, in a series against Drexel on April 23, she logged hits in seven of her nine at-bats. Bernett started 43 games as a freshman in 2021 and hit .235 with three homers and 10 RBIs. Photo: Colin E. Braley/ap. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student . She tied the school record for RBIs in a single game with seven on April 16. Bernett started 43 games as a freshman in 2021 and hit .235 with three homers and 10 RBIs. The Dukes' doubleheader on . She was a key member of our 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year," Alger said in a statement released toJMUSports.com. Bernett was 20. The sophomore was just days removed from going 7-for-9, hitting a home run and seven RBI, as well as scoring four runs during James Madison's three-game sweep of Drexel over the weekend. Four games, one against Virginia and three against Elon, were affected. In a statement announcing the sad news Tuesday morning, JMU officials did not reveal a cause of death but said the tragedy was "devastating. Star James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett, who helped the school in its historic run to the Women's College World Series, died of apparent suicide, authorities said. A terrible reminder of life's unfairness. pic.twitter.com/vDCFuWCxya, We join James Madison in mourning the loss of Lauren Bernett.Our condolences go out to her family, friends and teammates. She was 7-of-9 at the plate with seven RBI and four runs as JMU swept Drexel over the weekend. The Virginia university did not reveal Bernett's cause of death. In a joint statement announcing Bernett's death, JMU president Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne said their "hearts are aching" over the death of Bernett, whom they described as "a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program.". James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced Tuesday . As we previously reported, JMU officials announced on Tuesday that Bernett -- a sophomore catcher for the Dukes -- had died at the age of 20. Colin E. Braley/ap. Last month, the parents ofStanford Women's Soccer goalieKatie Meyerrevealed their daughter had died by suicide during an emotional interview withNBC'sTODAY Show. We will miss her dearly. My condolences to the @JMUSoftball program, the Bernett family and all Lauren's teammates and friends. She tied the school record for RBI in a single game with seven on April 16. T. "This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly," head coach Loren LaPorte said in a statement. If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S.National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night. Bernett -- who was batting .336 this season with nine home runs -- was also a key contributor to the James Madison squad that made a deep run in the 2021 Women's College World Series. We love you, Lauren pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes," James Madison University president Jonathan Alger and athletic directorJeff Bourne said in a combined statement. James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. Days after the sports world learned about the passing of James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett, a cause of death has been revealed. She recorded four of her seven hits of the series on Sunday, which also included a home run. The American college sports community has been left heartbroken by another tragedy, after news that James Madison University (JMU) softball star Lauren Bernett has died at the age of 20. Since 2005!" ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA. (THECOUNT) Lauren Bernett, a James Madison University softball star who on Monday was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week, has died. The 20 . An hour ago, it was announced that she had passed away. The team has canceled its Wednesday doubleheader against Longwood in wake of Bernetts death. ", We love you, Lauren pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG.