Nearly seven years since the tragic death of filmmaker and reality-TV alum Lyric McHenry, her family continues to seek closure in a case that remains as mysterious as it is heartbreaking.
On the morning of August 14, 2018 — just days after her 26th birthday — McHenry’s body was found on a sidewalk above the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx.
McHenry, a Stanford University graduate celebrated for her intellect and activism, was reportedly 20 weeks pregnant at the time of her death and had cocaine, heroin and alcohol in her system, according to autopsy findings.
“She was a leader… wanting to make a better world.” — friend quoted in docu by Leah Gordone
A Bright Life Cut Short
The daughter of film producer Doug McHenry (known for Jason’s Lyric), Lyric built a distinct identity early. She graduated from Stanford in 2014 with a major in comparative studies in race and ethnicity, studied abroad in Paris, and later worked in media development for outlets like Refinery29 and Complex.
She appeared alongside friends on EJNYC and was described by friends as “quick and ambitious,” balancing her glamour-facing persona with serious creative and social justice ambitions.
On August 13, 2018, McHenry celebrated her birthday in New York City, posting joyous Instagram stories in a pink slip dress. Later that night, she was seen leaving the Dream Downtown hotel and then vanished from her sister’s sight. The next morning, she was discovered in the Bronx.
Unanswered Questions & Lingering Pain
While the death was officially ruled an accidental overdose, important details remain unsettled:
- The identity of two men captured on surveillance footage with McHenry before her body was found is still unconfirmed.
- One man, Alexis Mejia‑Ramirez, pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence and concealment of a corpse, but no murder charges have followed.
- The McHenry family continues to dispute whether Lyric was aware of her pregnancy and challenge the narrative of personal drug abuse.
Her sister, Maya, said:
“You didn’t call 911. That’s murder.”
Why This Still Matters
Lyric McHenry’s story cuts across issues rarely told: the risks young Black women face in the intersection of celebrity, social media, and substance use; the statistical rise in overdose deaths; and the question of accountability when someone with promise falls victim.
For her community and family, the urge to shift the narrative is urgent. They want Lyric remembered for her creativity, her leadership, and her potential — not just the heartbreaking circumstances of her end.
“She wasn’t rock-bottom. She was happy. She lit rooms on fire.” — Maya McHenry, quoted in ELLE
