UR Football Player From Fairfax Takes His Life: UPDATE

FAIRFAX, VA—A University of Richmond football player from Fairfax has died, the school announced Tuesday. Augustus Lee was a walk-on player out of Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax. On Wednesday, the state's medical examiner said the cause of death was suicide by asphyxiation.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Richmond Police, officers went to the 300 block of College Road for a reported unresponsive man. Police found Lee, 20, in a vehicle, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only person in the vehicle, and no foul play is suspected.

In a statement, Spiders coach Russ Huesman said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Augustus Lee. Gus was a terrific young man and a great member of our Richmond family. His loss is a true tragedy to those who knew and loved him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gus' family. This is a very difficult time for everyone in the Richmond Spider family."

Said school president Ronald A. Crutcher: "I have been in touch with Gus's family to express our deepest condolences on behalf of the entire University. Gus was a sophomore from Fairfax, Virginia, who played on our football team. He was an undeclared pre-business major and a good friend, especially to his teammates and his fellow student athletes. We extend our deepest sympathies to Gus's family, his teammates, professors, and many friends on our campus."

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Lee mainly played on special teams this past season as a redshirt freshman.

Former Paul VI football Coach Joe Sebastian told the Washington Post that word reached the high school Tuesday morning that Lee had been missing.

"He was very driven but in a good way," Sebastian told the newspaper. "He wanted to be part of good things, positive things. You could see that when he was playing for Richmond."

Anyone struggling with mental health can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is available 24 hours a day, at 1-800-273-8255, by visiting this website or by texting HOME to 741741.

Photo: University of Richmond