Lawrence Phillips, the former Husker running back who off-field demons got in the way of transcendent talent, was found dead early in the wee hours of Wednesday morning in his cell at the Kern Valley State Prison.
California prison officials deemed the matter a suspected suicide. A press release stated the incident occurred at 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, when staff conducting security checks found Phillips unresponsive in his cell. He was transported to an outside hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 1:27 a.m.
Phillips was 40 years old.
Even with all his troubles, the entire life story of Phillips is one of sadness more than anything.