Aaron Hernandez, Ex-Football Player Spending Life In Prison For Murder, Commits Suicide

Aaron Hernandez, the former Patriots football player, took his own life in his cell at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center on Wednesday morning. He was 27.

AARON HERNANDEZ COMMITS SUICIDE IN PRISON

Hernandez was found in his cell, having hung himself. Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Odin Lloyd, who was dating his fiancee’s sister at the time. His suicide, however, comes five days after a jury found him not guilty in the double homicide of two immigrants killed in a 2012 drive-by shooting.

“Mr. Hernandez was in a single cell in a general population unit,” the Massachusetts Department of Correction said in a statement. “Mr. Hernandez hanged himself utilizing a bedsheet that he attached to his cell window. Mr. Hernandez also attempted to block his door from the inside by jamming the door with various items.”

Hernandez was the fourth-round pick of the 2010 NFL draft, and he played three seasons with the New England Patriots. As tight-end, Hernandez caught passes for nearly 2,000 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. Many thought he had a promising career ahead of him.

In 2013, Hernandez and two other men allegedly killed Lloyd. They were convicted of the crime in 2015, but only Hernandez was sentenced to life without parole, while the others were given 4.5 to 7 years in prison. Hernandez was also found guilty for five weapon charges, which gave him an automatic life sentence.

Hernandez shares a 4-year-old daughter with fiancee Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez. She took his name after he was convicted in 2015.