Tyler Hilinski, a California high school star in line to be Washington State’s starting quarterback, was found dead in his apartment on Tuesday, according to police. He was 21.
In a statement, the Pullman (Washington) Police Department said Hilinski died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
It is being investigated as a suicide.
Police said officers had been dispatched on Tuesday afternoon to Hilinski’s apartment north of the Washington State campus after he missed a practice. They also found a rifle and suicide note next to the body.
“Pullman police detectives and the Whitman County Coroner’s Office are conducting a thorough investigation to confirm the suspected cause and manner of death,” the statement read.
Hilinski, a native of Claremont in Los Angeles County, was to be a redshirt junior in the coming fall and expected to replace departing senior and record-setting passer Luke Falk as the Cougars’ starter at quarterback.
Please keep my family in your prayers tonight.
— Big Bo (@ryan_hilinski) January 17, 2018
Three weeks ago, in a season-ending loss to Michigan State in the Holiday Bowl, Hilinski made his first college start, in place of Falk, who was held out because of a wrist injury. He completed 39 of 50 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the 42-17 defeat.
“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Tyler’s passing,” Washington State football coach Mike Leach said in a statement. “He was an incredible young man and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him was better for it. The entire WSU community mourns as thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
He appeared in eight games in 2017 and most memorably led Washington State to a triple-overtime victory over then 22nd-ranked Boise State in early September, replacing Falk in the second half. He completed 25 of 33 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns in the winning effort.
Before joining Mike Leach’s program, Hilinski starred for two seasons at Upland High School, in San Bernardino County. He had transferred from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
As a high-school junior in 2013, Hilinski was named the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Offensive Player of the Year after completing 177 of 260 passes for 3,053 yards and 34 touchdowns with eight interceptions, leading the Highlanders to the Inland Division semifinals, where they lost to Corona Centennial in a memorable 86-56 showdown.
He also received second-team All-Inland Valley honors as a senior in 2014, and Upland reached the CIF semifinals.
Hilinski was among a family of quarterbacks.
His older brother, Kelly, went to Weber State and Columbia. His younger brother, Ryan, is a junior at Orange Lutheran.
— Michelle Gardner contributed to this report
Read Again https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/01/17/tyler-hilinski-washington-state-qb-and-upland-grad-dead-from-apparent-suicide/Upland teammates among others shocked by the passing of Washington State QB Tyler Hilinski. #RIP3https://t.co/6rzILqVRVu
— James H. Williams • (Reporter) • (@JHWreporter) January 17, 2018
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Tyler Hilinski found dead; Washington State quarterback had been California standout"
Post a Comment