Pullman police: Note, rifle found at scene
By Daniel DeMay, SeattlePI Updated 9:24 pm, Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Washington State University quarterback Tyler Hilinski was found dead in his apartment Tuesday afternoon, in what police said appeared to be a suicide.
Police visited Hilinski's apartment about 4:30 p.m. to check on the 21-year-old after he failed to show up for practice, according to a news release from the Pullman Police Department.
They found Hilinski dead in the apartment with a gunshot wound to the head. A rifle was found next to him, as was a suicide note.
Police said in the release that the wound appeared to be self-inflicted.
"We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Tyler's passing," said WSU head coach Mike Leach in a statement Tuesday night. "He was an incredible young man and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him was better for it. The entire WSU family mourns as thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
Hilinski just finished his redshirt sophomore season at WSU and was on track to take the starting QB slot next year after appearing in eight games this season, including starting the Holiday Bowl. On the season, he went 130 for 179 with 1,179 yards with seven touchdowns.
His most memorable outing came in the second week of the season when he led Washington State from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Boise State 47-44 in triple overtime. Hilinski threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns coming off the bench.
In his high school career at Upland High School in Upland, California, he broke or set nine passing related records, including a single game yardage record of 446 yards. In 2015, the year he graduated from high school, rivals.com ranked him 10th in the nation for pro-style quarterbacks.
In a statement, WSU Interim Director of Athletics John Johnson called news of the tragedy "devastating to all."
Former Washington State linebackers coach Roy Manning, who recently left for a position at UCLA, tweeted , "Words can't describe what I'm feeling right now. My heart is beyond saddened. Please pray for the family and all of us affected!"
Hilinski is from Claremont, California, and went to high school at nearby Upland. He arrived on campus in 2015 and redshirted before appearing in four games in 2016.
Anyone having suicidal thoughts should call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, answered 24 hours a day: 1-800-273-8255.
The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
