Star James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett, who helped the school in its historic run to the Women’s College World Series, tragically lost her life on Tuesday.
The following day, her death was classified as an apparent suicide. Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson announced on Wednesday that an investigation into Bernett’s death is ongoing.
“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 said, via The Associated Press.
Bernett was named the CAA Player of the Week earlier this week, batting .778 with seven RBIs in a three-game stretch.
The death of a James Madison softball star Lauren Bernett has been classified as an apparent suicide, though the sheriff says an investigation into the death is continuing. Bernett was 20.
https://t.co/hkdewNv9l6— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) April 27, 2022
As a freshman last year, Bernett started 43 games as the Dukes went 41-4 and advanced to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in school history.
The Dukes are 21-21 this year and last played on Sunday, beating Drexel, 11-4, in Philadelphia.
Bernett played in that game as she went 4-for-4 with a homer and two doubles.