The Brief
-
Roy Hughes, a 17-year-old star student and athlete from Lincoln High School, died just before his senior year, according to his family.
-
He was found unresponsive at his home after practice on Friday.
-
An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death.
DALLAS – Just days before 17-year-old Roy Hughes was to start his senior year at Lincoln High School, his family is mourning the loss of the star student and athlete.
Lincoln High track star dies
Roy Hughes (Source: Virginia Mosley)
What we know
According to Dallas Police, officers were called to the 1800 block of West Mockingbird Lane on Friday around noon. When they arrived, they found Hughes unresponsive. Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived and pronounced him dead.
His mother, Virginia Mosley, tells FOX 4 News Roy went to practice Friday morning. After practice, he went home and fell asleep. His mother says he never woke up.
Roy Hughes (Source: Virginia Mosley)
What we don’t know
An autopsy is being performed to determine Hughes’ cause of death.
It’s unclear whether Hughes had any prior medical issues.
What they’re saying
“He was always a good person, had a good heart for everybody,” said Hughes’ older brother, Timad Cotton, in an interview with FOX 4.
Another of Hughes’ older brothers also spoke at his balloon release.
“I just wanna say, grateful for what he did and thankful for what he did, he’s gonna push us forward all the way through now,” said Timmy Williams.
Lincoln High School posted to X, calling Hughes a “true model who defied the odds and defined excellence.”
About Roy Hughes
Hughes was about to start his senior year at Lincoln Heights.
He was a state champion athlete. He won the 4A state title in 2025 for the 300 hurdles with a time of 36.58.
What’s next
A balloon release will be held in his honor on Sunday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m. at Lincoln High School.
The Source
Information in this article is from Roy Hughes’ family, the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office.