What Happened to Aaron Hernandez? How Did He Die? Check Here

Find out what happened to Aaron Hernandez and how his life took a tragic turn, also learn about the events that led up to Aaron Hernandez's arrest and the circumstances surrounding his death.

by Sakthi | Updated Apr 20, 2023

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Who is Aaron Hernandez Gravesite?

Aaron Hernandez was a former professional American football player who played for the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Bristol, Connecticut, on November 6, 1989. Hernandez had a successful college football career at the University of Florida, where he played for the Gators from 2007 to 2009. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft and played for the team until 2013.

In 2013, Aaron Hernandez, a former NFL player, was arrested in connection with the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who was dating Hernandez's fiancée's sister. Despite pleading not guilty, Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2015 and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The trial was highly publicised and featured circumstantial evidence such as surveillance footage and cellphone records. The case has left a lasting impact on the sports world and raises questions about the potential dangers of head injuries in football.

What Happened to Aaron Hernandez?

On April 19, 2017, former NFL player Aaron Hernandez was discovered dead in his prison cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts. He was only 27 years old at the time of his death, and the news shocked the sports world and fans alike. Despite his troubled past, his untimely death highlights the need for increased awareness and support for those struggling with mental health issues.

Hernandez was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after being convicted of first-degree murder in 2015 for the killing of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée.

After his death, it was revealed that Hernandez had been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often found in people who have suffered repeated blows to the head. The discovery of his CTE has raised concerns about the long-term effects of head injuries in football players and led to increased research and awareness on the issue.

How Did Aaron Hernandez Die?

Aaron Hernandez died by suicide in his prison cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts, on April 19, 2017. He hanged himself using a bedsheet that was attached to a window in his cell. Hernandez was found unresponsive in his cell at around 3:05 a.m. by correctional officers, who attempted to revive him. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital a short time later.

An investigation was launched into Hernandez's death, which included an autopsy by the Massachusetts state medical examiner's office. The autopsy report concluded that Hernandez's cause of death was asphyxia by hanging and that his manner of death was suicide.

The circumstances of Hernandez's death have been the subject of some controversy and speculation. Some people have raised questions about the adequacy of the mental health care he received while in prison, and others have suggested that he may not have taken his own life. However, the official ruling from the medical examiner's office is that Hernandez died by suicide.

After his death, it was revealed that he had been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often found in people who have suffered repeated blows to the head. His brain was donated to Boston University's CTE Center, which confirmed that he had Stage 3 CTE, which is usually found in people in their late 60s. The discovery of Hernandez's CTE has led to increased scrutiny of the long-term effects of head injuries in football players.

How Long Did Aaron Hernandez Play in the NFL?

Aaron Hernandez played in the NFL for three seasons, from 2010 to 2012, all with the New England Patriots. Despite his relatively short career, Hernandez made a significant impact on the field, earning numerous accolades and setting records along the way.

Some of Hernandez's career highlights include:

  • Pro Bowl Selection: In 2011, Hernandez was selected to the Pro Bowl, which is an all-star game that features the best players from the AFC and NFC conferences.
  • AFC Champion: In both 2011 and 2012, Hernandez helped lead the Patriots to the AFC Championship game, which they won in 2011 before falling to the Baltimore Ravens in 2012.
  • Record-Setting Performance: In a game against the Miami Dolphins on December 4, 2011, Hernandez set a new franchise record for most receiving yards in a single game by a tight end, with 129 yards on just 5 receptions.
  • Super Bowl Appearance: In 2011, Hernandez played a key role in helping the Patriots reach Super Bowl XLVI, where they ultimately lost to the New York Giants.

Despite his success on the field, Hernandez's NFL career was cut short by his arrest and subsequent conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd, which led to his being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

When was Aaron Hernandez Arrested?

Aaron Hernandez was arrested on June 26, 2013, in connection with the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée. The investigation into Lloyd's murder began on June 17, 2013, after his body was found in an industrial park in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. Lloyd had been shot multiple times, and his body was found less than a mile from Hernandez's home.

As the investigation unfolded, Hernandez emerged as a key suspect. He was eventually arrested and charged with first-degree murder as well as multiple firearms charges. Hernandez pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The prosecution's case against Hernandez relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including surveillance footage from the night of Lloyd's murder that appeared to show Hernandez with a gun, as well as cell phone records that placed him in the area where Lloyd was killed.

Despite Hernandez's defence team's attempts to cast doubt on the prosecution's case, he was ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder in 2015 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

How Old is Aaron Hernandez Daughter?

Aaron Hernandez was never married. He was engaged to Shayanna Jenkins in 2012. Hernandez and Jenkins had one child together, a daughter named Avielle, who was born in November 2012. Now his daughter's current age is 10.

After Hernandez's death in 2017, it was reported that Jenkins had filed a lawsuit against the NFL and the New England Patriots, alleging that they were aware of the risks associated with repeated head injuries and failed to disclose those risks to Hernandez, who had suffered from CTE.

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What Happened to Aaron Hernandez: FAQs

1. Who was Aaron Hernandez?  

Aaron Hernandez was a former NFL player who was convicted of murder and died by suicide in prison.

2. What was Aaron Hernandez convicted of?  

Aaron Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015 for the killing of Odin Lloyd.

3. How did Aaron Hernandez die?  

Aaron Hernandez died by suicide in his prison cell on April 19, 2017. He hanged himself using a bedsheet attached to a window.

4. How long did Aaron Hernandez play in the NFL?

Aaron Hernandez played in the NFL for three seasons, from 2010 to 2012, all with the New England Patriots.

5. How many children did Aaron Hernandez have?  

Aaron Hernandez had one child, a daughter named Avielle, who was born in November 2012.