Stanford soccer captain Katie Meyer’s cause of death announced

Stanford women’s soccer star Katie Meyer died by suicide, authorities said Thursday.

Meyer, 22, was found dead in her on-campus residence on Tuesday, according to the university. Investigators quickly ruled out foul play.

The Santa Clara County coroner’s office described Meyer’s death as “self-inflicted,” People magazine reported.

“Katie was extraordinarily committed to everything and everyone in her world,” Stanford leaders said Wednesday in a statement. “Her friends describe her as a larger-than-life team player in all her pursuits.”

Meyer was a three-year starter at goalkeeper for Stanford. She helped propel the Cardinal to the 2019 national championship, making two crucial saves in the title-deciding penalty shootout against North Carolina. The Associated Press named her heroics one of the top 10 plays of the year.

“Katie’s loss is so profound because she was so spirited and action oriented, and connected to so many people on campus,” one of her professors, Bob Sutton, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Off the field, Meyer was an international relations major, with a minor studying history. Stanford said it would provide counseling and other resources to students, staff and anyone else who knew Meyer.

“There are no words to express the deep sadness we feel about Katie Meyer’s passing,” athletic director Bernard Muir said. “Katie was an outstanding student-athlete and a beloved, passionate leader here at Stanford. Our entire athletics community is heartbroken and Katie will be deeply missed.”