Former NFL player charged with murder after girlfriend found dead in home

4 hours ago

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (Gray News) – A former NFL player is charged with first-degree murder after his girlfriend was found dead in her Tennessee home.

Darron Lee, 31, was arrested on Feb. 5 in connection to his girlfriend’s death, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Lee played linebacker at Ohio State and for the New York Jets.

Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after his girlfriend was found dead in her home.(Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)

The sheriff’s office said officers were sent to a home in Ooltewah on Feb. 5 to a report of a “CPR in progress.” At the home, first responders found a female victim. After attempting life-saving measures, they declared her dead.

The victim’s identity has not been released at this time.

Lee, identified by the sheriff’s office as the victim’s boyfriend, was also found at the scene.

Detectives with the sheriff’s office were called to investigate because of the “condition of the victim” and other evidence found at the scene.

An affidavit obtained by WTVC said the victim was found with serious traumatic injuries, including severe bruising to her head and torso and a suspected stab wound in her abdomen. Her body was taken to a forensic center for an autopsy.

WTVC reported Lee told investigators he found his girlfriend injured on the couch and suspected that she had fallen in the shower.

Investigators, however, noted that the location and amount of blood found in the home did not match Lee’s accounts. They also noted Lee appeared to have injuries consistent with a physical struggle.

According to the affidavit, forensic testing found that blood had been cleaned up in parts of the home and investigators noted cleaning supplies were left in unusual places.

Based on the preliminary findings, investigators ruled the victim’s death a homicide and Lee was taken into custody.

He was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said more charges could be pending as its investigation continues.

According to ESPN, Lee was previously arrested for assault and domestic abuse in 2023.

Lee was the New York Jets’ first-round pick in 2016 and played with the team for three seasons, according to ESPN. He was released in 2019 and was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs. He played two games with the Buffalo Bills in 2020 but saw no action after that.

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