Whitnall High School assistant basketball coach Alex Lloyd died by suicide shortly after he was banned from the school and from having any contact with students amid an ongoing investigation, multiple sources have confirmed.
Lloyd, 28, took his own life in Milwaukee over the weekend. On Friday afternoon, an email to members of the Whitnall basketball program indicated that Lloyd was not to be allowed in any school building or allowed to have contact with any student. A few hours later, Whitnall basketball players were told that Lloyd would not be coaching in that night’s game against Shorewood High School.
In an email to families Sunday evening, Whitnall School District Superintendent Dr. Lisa Olson said only that “a Whitnall substitute and coach was involved in a tragic incident.”
“This information was shared with us by a family member and cannot be confirmed by law enforcement at this time,” Olson continued, then seemingly hinted at the events leading up to Lloyd’s suicide. “For those of you that may have already been informed of this news, please do not speculate on the circumstances or contribute to any rumors. Rumors may turn out to be untrue and can be hurtful and unfair.”
In a follow-up email to families Wednesday morning, Dr. Olson confirmed Lloyd’s death and posted a link to his obituary.
“Many have asked how they can support the family and Whitnall community during this difficult time,” she wrote. “We are providing an opportunity for staff and WHS students to share a memory or note with the family.
“Our boys' basketball team will miss Coach Lloyd and his contributions to the team and the program. We are providing an opportunity for staff and students to share support of the team by also having notecards to write a note to the team and coaches.”
Dr. Olson has not yet responded to a request for comment on Lloyd’s death or the circumstances leading up to it.
The Whitnall boys basketball team is 18-1 this season and ranked fourth in the WIAA Division 2 State Boys Basketball rankings. The team postponed its home game against Cudahy Tuesday night in the wake of Lloyd’s death.