Stanford goalie Katie Meyer faced disciplinary action over coffee incident before suicide: lawsuit

Stanford goalie Katie Meyer was dealing with disciplinary motion earlier than she tragically took her personal life in February, in response to a wrongful demise lawsuit filed by her mother and father towards the college.

Meyer was mentioned to be using her bike in the summertime when she apparently spilled espresso on a Stanford soccer participant, who allegedly sexually assaulted a feminine soccer participant — a minor on the time — in response to the lawsuit, which was obtained by USA Right this moment Sports activities. Meyer, who served because the captain of the Stanford girls’s soccer staff, was despatched a discover relating to imminent disciplinary motion over the incident, which passed off in August, on the night of her demise, per the swimsuit.

“Stanford’s after-hours disciplinary cost, and the reckless nature and method of submission to Katie, triggered Katie to undergo an acute stress response that impulsively led to her suicide,” the grievance learn.

“Katie’s suicide was accomplished with out planning and solely in response to the stunning and deeply distressing data she acquired from Stanford whereas alone in her room with none assist or sources.”

Meyer is claimed to have acquired the discover after 7 p.m., when campus counseling sources had already closed, per the grievance, which additionally famous that Meyer “instantly responded to the e-mail expressing how ‘shocked and distraught’ she was over being charged and threatened with elimination from the college.”

Katie Meyer #19 of the Stanford Cardinal defends the goal against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Division I Women's Soccer Championship held at Avaya Stadium on December 8, 2019.
Katie Meyer #19 of the Stanford Cardinal defends the purpose towards the North Carolina Tar Heels through the Division I Ladies’s Soccer Championship held at Avaya Stadium on December 8, 2019.
NCAA Photographs through Getty Pictures

The swimsuit alleges that Stanford “failed to reply to Katie’s expression of misery, as an alternative ignored it and scheduled a gathering for 3 days later through e mail,” and the way college workers “made no effort by any means to verify on Katie’s well-being, both by a easy cellphone name or in-person welfare verify.”

Dee Mostofi, who's Stanford’s assistant vice chairman of exterior communications, said that the top of the Workplace of Group reached out to Meyer “a number of days” previous to the late student-athlete receiving the formal letter. Mostofi mentioned the OCS particular person “gave Katie till that date to supply any additional data for consideration,” and that Meyer “offered no data and OCS knowledgeable her on the night of February 28 that the matter would transfer to a listening to.”

“The Stanford neighborhood continues to grieve Katie’s tragic demise and we sympathize along with her household for the unimaginable ache that Katie’s passing has triggered them,” Mostofi mentioned in an e mail to USA Right this moment. “Nevertheless, we strongly disagree with any assertion that the college is liable for her demise.”    

Katie Meyer and parents
Meyer pictured along with her mother and father.
Household handout
Katie Meyer #19 of the Stanford Cardinal defends the goal against Alessia Russo #19 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Division I Women's Soccer Championship held at Avaya Stadium on December 8, 2019.
Katie Meyer #19 of the Stanford Cardinal defends the purpose towards Alessia Russo #19 of the North Carolina Tar Heels through the Division I Ladies’s Soccer Championship held at Avaya Stadium on December 8, 2019.
NCAA Photographs through Getty Pictures

Meyer’s discover is claimed to have contained a cellphone quantity to contact for “speedy assist,” and was knowledgeable the supply of the useful resource was 24 hours a day and 7 days every week, per Mostofi. Meyer can be mentioned to have been “explicitly informed that this was not a dedication that she did something incorrect, and OCS supplied to fulfill along with her to debate the matter if she wished.”

The soccer participant was not looking for any punishment that may “influence” Meyer’s life through the disciplinary course of, per USA Right this moment.

Meyer was 22 years outdated on the time of her demise.

Goalie Katie Meyer #19 of the Stanford Cardinal passes the ball to a teammate against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Division I Women's Soccer Championship held at Avaya Stadium on December 8, 2019.
Goalie Katie Meyer #19 of the Stanford Cardinal passes the ball to a teammate towards the North Carolina Tar Heels through the Division I Ladies’s Soccer Championship held at Avaya Stadium on December 8, 2019.
NCAA Photographs through Getty Pictures

A Burbank, Calif., Meyer helped Stanford seize the 2019 NCAA girls’s soccer championship. She majored in worldwide relations and minored in historical past.

If you're fighting suicidal ideas or are experiencing a psychological well being disaster and reside in New York Metropolis, you'll be able to name 1-888-NYC-WELL without cost and confidential disaster counseling. In case you reside exterior the 5 boroughs, you'll be able to dial the 24/7 Nationwide Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

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