If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which provides confidential 24/7 support by dialing 9-8-8.
The parents of Katie Meyer, the former Stanford soccer goalkeeper who killed herself in February at the age of 21, have sued the university for wrongful death, according to a copy of the civil lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
At the time Meyer committed suicide, she was facing disciplinary action for allegedly spilling coffee on a Stanford football player in August while she was riding her bike, according to the complaint filed Wednesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
The football player allegedly sexually assaulted a female soccer player, then a minor, on the Stanford women’s soccer team on which Meyer served as a captain, according to the complaint.
Meyer’s father, Steve, previously told USA TODAY Sports that the disciplinary issue arose from Katie Meyer defending a teammate.
NEVER MISS A MOMENT: Follow our sports newsletter for daily updates
On the evening of Feb. 28, the night of Meyer’s death, Stanford “negligently and “recklessly’’ sent her a formal written notice charging her with a “Violation of the Fundamental Standard by spilling coffee on another student,’’ according to the complaint.
“Stanford’s after-hours disciplinary charge, and the reckless nature and manner of submission to Katie, caused Katie to suffer an acute stress reaction that impulsively led to her…
