Volleyball player Kim In-hyeok found dead

Daejeon Samsung Bluefangs player Kim In-hyeok was found dead at his home on Friday. He was 26 years old.

Late volleyball player Kim In-hyeok in action during a match between Daejeon Samsung Bluefangs and Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers held at Uijeongbu Gymnaisum in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi on Aug. 18, 2021. [YONHAP]

Daejeon Samsung Bluefangs player Kim In-hyeok was found dead at his home on Friday. He was 26 years old.

Officers from the Suwon Nambu Police Precinct reported Saturday that investigations into Kim's death found no evidence of foul play. An autopsy will not be carried out at the request of family members.

Kim was reported missing on Friday after the Daejeon volleyball club was unable to contact him. The club contacted an acquaintance of the player, and his body was found at his home at 3 p.m. on Friday.

Police officials reported that a note was found at Kim’s home, but have not officially ruled the death as a suicide.

Kim started his volleyball career at Suwon Kepco Vixtorm in 2017 then moved to Daejeon Samsung Bluefangs in 2020. He struggled with injuries in the 2021-22 season, appearing in only two games, and has not played since December.

Last year, Kim had written on social media about his struggle to cope with the malicious comments that had been directed at him online for over a decade, pleading with commenters to stop sending him hateful messages.

The Bluefangs and Ansan OK Financial Group Okman on Sunday held a 10-second silence before their match in tribute to Kim.

If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191. The Seoul Global Center offers English-language counseling. Contact 02-2075-4180 to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]