Sat May 10 10:50:00 UTC 2025: ## ESPN Documentary Exposes Final Days of Stanford Soccer Star Katie Meyer Before Suicide
**Palo Alto, CA** – A new ESPN documentary, “Save – The Katie Meyer Story,” airing Saturday, delves into the tragic death of Katie Meyer, a former Stanford University soccer goalie who died by suicide in 2022 at age 22. The film, directed by Jennifer Karson-Strauss, uses previously unseen video footage and interviews to paint a picture of Meyer’s final weeks, interwoven with the wrongful death lawsuit filed by her parents against Stanford University.
The documentary highlights a disciplinary matter Meyer faced at Stanford, involving an alleged coffee-spilling incident with a football player. Meyer’s parents claim they were unaware of the situation, and believe their daughter would still be alive had they known. Stanford, while expressing sympathy, maintains that the lawsuit lacks merit.
A key element of the film is a previously unreleased podcast episode recorded by Meyer herself. In this episode, Meyer discusses her experiences with setbacks in soccer, including being cut from the U.S. national team, and her resilience. The podcast provides an intimate look into her relationship with her parents and their support system, contrasting sharply with the events that led to her death.
The lawsuit, filed by Meyer’s parents in November 2022, alleges negligence and recklessness on the part of Stanford in handling the disciplinary process. Stanford’s response points to internal notes suggesting Meyer struggled with familial pressure. The documentary also explores the text exchanges between Meyer and a Stanford resident fellow, Jennifer Zimbroff, which the Meyers’ legal team claims demonstrate unethical conduct and a potential conflict of interest. Stanford denies these accusations.
“Save – The Katie Meyer Story” also features interviews with former Stanford soccer star Julie Foudy, who acts as the reporter for the documentary. Foudy notes that while Stanford declined on-camera interviews, the school did provide written responses.
The documentary concludes with the Meyer family’s advocacy for “Katie Meyer’s Law,” a California law requiring public colleges to allow student advisors during disciplinary proceedings – a law that doesn’t apply to private Stanford. The lawsuit is set to go to trial in April 2026.
The film aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Meyer’s death and raise awareness about mental health struggles among student-athletes. The documentary encourages viewers to seek help if needed, providing resources for crisis support: 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.
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