Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski was found dead in his apartment last week after he had missed the football team's practice earlier in the day on Jan. 16. According to ESPN, the Whitman County (Wash.) Coroner's Office has officially ruled Hilinski's cause of death as a suicide.
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More details have emerged via The Seattle Times. He not only missed practice, according to their report, but he also missed a planned lunch with teammates. When he didn't show, his teammates went to his old apartment —- he was in the middle of switching over to a new place —- and forced their way in after there was no response, according to a Pullman police statement.
The police statement said the weapon Hilinski used was a .223 caliber rifle that belonged to a teammate. It also said Hilinski took the rifle without the teammate's knowledge, on or before that Friday, Jan. 12.
The investigation is still ongoing and still waiting on toxicology results from the state crime lab.
ESPN also reported that police are still interviewing those close to Hilinski to try and determine more details surrounding the death.
Hilinski, 21, was found last Tuesday after Washington State's coaching staff alerted police that Hilinski had not shown up for practice that day. Police found Hilinski with a gunshot wound to the head and a suicide note next to him. Details of the note have not been released to the public.
Hilinski, a former three-star recruit, was the primary backup to Luke Falk this season at Washington State. Hilinski played in eight games total this season, throwing for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. He was in the running to start next season as Falk is set to graduate.
We send our thoughts and prayers to Hilinski's family, friends, and teammates at this time.
