The former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found dead Wednesday morning inside his jail cell in an apparent suicide, according to the Massachusetts Department Of Correction.
The 27-year-old ex-NFL star hanged himself with a bedsheet that was attached to his cell window. Also, Hernandez had blocked his door from the inside by using various items to jam the door.
Christopher Fallon, assistant deputy commissioner of communications, said that Hernandez was discovered dead around 3:05 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities tried to revive him and were transported to the hospital where he was officially pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m.
Hernandez was acquitted of double murder
The former NFL star’s suicide happened just days after being acquitted of a double murder charge. Hernandez was accused of killing Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in 2012. Prosecutors claimed that Hernandez killed the victims over spilled drink at a Boston night club.
During the trial, the defense claimed that Alexander Bradley, a close friend of Hernandez, was at fault. However, Bradley points the finger at Hernandez by saying he got furious when one of the victims bumped into him while dancing, causing Hernandez’s drink to spill. Later that night as the victims waited at a stop light, Hernandez allegedly opened fire on the victims’ vehicle.
Six weeks after the victims were killed; Hernandez signed a five-year deal worth $40 million with the Patriots and was able to play another season.
Hernandez already serving a life sentence
The former tight end was already serving a life sentence for the killing of Odin Lloyd in 2013. Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée at that time. Jurors had deliberated for 36 hours before he was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2015.
In addition to the charges, Hernandez was also convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Lloyd was last seen alive on June 17, 2013, at around 2:30 a.m. He was seen with Hernandez, Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace in a Nissan Altima. A jogger found Lloyd’s body later that day, covered with gunshot wounds.
Ortiz and Wallace were also charged with murder and tried separately, both of which pleaded not guilty.
Lloyd played football for the Boston Bandits, a semi-professional team in Boston. He was also working for a landscaping company at the time of his death.
