Learn what happened to Aaron Hernandez, how his life changed tragically and about the events leading up to his arrest and his death.
Aaron Hernandez Gravesite: Who is he?
Aaron Hernandez is a former American football professional who played in the National Football League for the New England Patriots. He was born on November 6, 1990, in Bristol, Connecticut. Hernandez played college football for the Gators at the University of Florida from 2007 to 2009, and had a very successful career. The New England Patriots drafted him in the fourth round at the 2010 NFL Draft. He played for them until 2013.
Aaron Hernandez, former NFL player was arrested in 2013 for the murder of Odin, a semiprofessional footballer who was dating Hernandez’s fiancee’s sister. Hernandez, despite pleading innocent, was found guilty in 2015 of first-degree homicide and sentenced to life without parole.
The trial received a lot of media attention and included circumstantial evidence, such as cellphone records and surveillance footage. The case had a lasting effect on the sporting world, and raised questions about head injuries in soccer.
What happened to Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez, a former NFL player, was found dead in his cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center located in Shirley Massachusetts on April 19, 2017. The news of his death shocked both the sports world as well as fans. He was just 27 at the time. His untimely passing, despite his troubled past highlights the need to increase awareness and support those who are struggling with mental issues.
Hernandez served a life without parole sentence after he was convicted in 2015 of first-degree homicide for the murder of Odin Lloyd. Odin was a semiprofessional footballer who was dating the girlfriend of Hernandez’s fiancée.
Hernandez was found to have chronic traumatic brain disease (CTE) after his death. This is a degenerative condition that occurs in those who are repeatedly hit on the head. His CTE was discovered after his death, and it has led to an increased awareness and research on head injuries and their long-term effects.
How Did Aaron Hernandez Die?
Aaron Hernandez committed suicide on April 19, 2017 in his cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, in Shirley, Massachusetts. He hung himself with a bedsheet attached to the window of his cell. Correctional officers found Hernandez unresponsive in his room at 3:05 am. They tried to revive him. Shortly after, he was declared dead by a hospital nearby.
The Massachusetts State Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy as part of the investigation into Hernandez’s death. The autopsy report concluded Hernandez’s death was caused by asphyxia from hanging, and his manner of suicide.
Hernandez’s death has been the topic of controversy and speculation. Others have questioned the quality of mental health care Hernandez received in prison. Some have even suggested that he might not have committed suicide. The medical examiner’s official decision is that Hernandez committed suicide.
It was discovered that after his death he suffered from chronic traumatic brain disease (CTE), which is a degenerative condition often seen in those who have sustained repeated blows to their head. The CTE Center at Boston University confirmed that Hernandez had Stage 3 CTE. This is a degenerative brain disease usually seen in late-sixties people. Hernandez’s CTE was discovered, and it has increased the scrutiny on football player head injuries.
How long did Aaron Hernandez play in the NFL for?
Aaron Hernandez was a member of the New England Patriots for three NFL seasons between 2010 and 2012. Hernandez’s relatively short career was marked by a number of accolades, and he set records.
Hernandez’s career highlights are:
- Pro Bowl Selection: In 2011 Hernandez was selected for the Pro Bowl. This is an all-star match that features the top players from both the AFC and NFC conference.
- AFC Champion: Hernandez led the Patriots to AFC Championship games in both 2011 and 2012. They won the 2011 game before losing to the Baltimore Ravens the following year.
- Record-Setting Performance : On December 4, 2011, Hernandez broke the franchise record for receiving yards by a tightend in a single match, with 129 on only 5 receptions.
- Super Bowl Appearance : In 2011, Hernandez was a major contributor to helping the Patriots make it to Super Bowl XLVI where they lost out in the end against the New York Giants.
Hernandez’s NFL Career was cut short despite his success in the field by his arrest, conviction and sentence for the murder of Odin Lloyd.
Aaron Hernandez was arrested when?
Aaron Hernandez was arrested in June 2013 for the murder of Odin Loyd, a semi professional football player dating the sister Hernandez’s fiancée. On June 17, 2013 the investigation into Lloyd’s death began after his body had been found in a North Attleborough industrial park. Lloyd was shot several times and his body found less than one mile from Hernandez’s house.
Hernandez became a suspect as the investigation progressed. He was arrested and charged for first-degree murder, as well as numerous firearms charges. Hernandez has pleaded guilty to all charges.
The prosecution’s case for Hernandez was heavily based on circumstantial proof, such as surveillance footage that showed Hernandez holding a gun the night of Lloyd’s murder, and cell phone records which placed him near the scene where Lloyd died.
Hernandez’s defense team tried to cast doubt on prosecution’s evidence, but he was found guilty in 2015 of first-degree homicide and sentenced for life without parole.
How old is Aaron Hernandez’s daughter?
Aaron Hernandez never married. In 2012, he was engaged to Shayanna. Hernandez and Jenkins have one child, a daughter called Avielle who was born November 2012. His daughter is now 10 years old.
Jenkins filed a suit against the NFL and New England Patriots after Hernandez’s death. Jenkins claimed that the NFL was aware of the dangers associated with repeated head trauma and that it failed to inform Hernandez who suffered from CTE.