Aaron Hernandez - Revision history

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	\| death_date = April 19, 2017		\| death_date = April 19, 2017
	\| birth_place = Bristol, Connecticut		\| birth_place = Bristol, Connecticut
	\| ~~conviction~~ = First-degree murder, illegal firearm possession		\|charges = First-degree murder, illegal firearm possession
	\| ~~conviction_date~~ = April 15, 2015		\|charges_date = April 15, 2015
	\| sentence = Life in prison without parole		\| sentence = Life in prison without parole
	\| facility = Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (Massachusetts State)		\| facility = Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (Massachusetts State)

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	\|description=Explore Aaron Hernandez's fall from NFL stardom to murder conviction. Learn about the ex-Patriots tight end's legal battles and prison experience.		\|description=Explore Aaron Hernandez's fall from NFL stardom to murder conviction. Learn about the ex-Patriots tight end's legal battles and prison experience.
	\|keywords=Aaron Hernandez, NFL, Patriots, murder conviction, CTE, Massachusetts prison, tight end		\|keywords=Aaron Hernandez, NFL, Patriots, murder conviction, CTE, Massachusetts prison, tight end
	\|type=~~profile~~		\|type=ProfilePage
	\|site_name=Prisonpedia		\|site_name=Prisonpedia
	\|locale=en_US		\|locale=en_US

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	'''Aaron Josef Hernandez''' (November 6, 1989 – April 19, 2017) was an American professional football player who played tight end for the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL).<ref name="espn">{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/13229/aaron-hernandez \|title=Aaron Hernandez \|publisher=ESPN \|date=2017}}</ref> A consensus All-American at the University of Florida, Hernandez was considered one of the most talented tight ends in the league during his brief career. His promising future ended abruptly in 2013 when he was arrested and charged with murder. Convicted of first-degree murder in 2015, Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole.<ref name="ap">{{cite web \|url=https://apnews.com/article/aaron-hernandez-convicted-murder-3c5d8c7e2f9c4d2a5bac31eb72c17fb8 \|title=Ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez convicted of murder \|publisher=Associated Press \|date=April 15, 2015}}</ref> He died by suicide in his prison cell in April 2017, just days after being acquitted of separate double murder charges. A posthumous examination of his brain revealed severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).<ref name="bu">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bu.edu/articles/2017/aaron-hernandez-cte/ \|title=Aaron Hernandez Had Severe CTE \|publisher=Boston University \|date=September 2017}}</ref>		'''Aaron Josef Hernandez''' (November 6, 1989 – April 19, 2017) was an American professional football player who played tight end for the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL).<ref name="espn">{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/13229/aaron-hernandez \|title=Aaron Hernandez \|publisher=ESPN \|date=2017}}</ref> A consensus All-American at the University of Florida, Hernandez was considered one of the most talented tight ends in the league during his brief career. His promising future ended abruptly in 2013 when he was arrested and charged with murder. Convicted of first-degree murder in 2015, Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole.<ref name="ap">{{cite web \|url=https://apnews.com/article/aaron-hernandez-convicted-murder-3c5d8c7e2f9c4d2a5bac31eb72c17fb8 \|title=Ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez convicted of murder \|publisher=Associated Press \|date=April 15, 2015}}</ref> He died by suicide in his prison cell in April 2017, just days after being acquitted of separate double murder charges. A posthumous examination of his brain revealed severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).<ref name="bu">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bu.edu/articles/2017/aaron-hernandez-cte/ \|title=Aaron Hernandez Had Severe CTE \|publisher=Boston University \|date=September 2017}}</ref>
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	== Early Life ==		== Early Life ==
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	Hernandez's childhood was marked by trauma and dysfunction. His father, Dennis Hernandez, was a strict disciplinarian who reportedly beat Aaron as a child. Dennis died unexpectedly in January 2006 during routine hernia surgery when Aaron was 16 years old—an event often cited as a turning point in his life.<ref name="netflix">{{cite web \|url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81062828 \|title=Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez \|publisher=Netflix \|date=2020}}</ref>		Hernandez's childhood was marked by trauma and dysfunction. His father, Dennis Hernandez, was a strict disciplinarian who reportedly beat Aaron as a child. Dennis died unexpectedly in January 2006 during routine hernia surgery when Aaron was 16 years old—an event often cited as a turning point in his life.<ref name="netflix">{{cite web \|url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81062828 \|title=Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez \|publisher=Netflix \|date=2020}}</ref>
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	Additionally, Hernandez's attorneys later revealed that he had been sexually molested by a male babysitter as a child, an experience corroborated by his older brother, DJ Hernandez. This childhood trauma, combined with his father's abuse and sudden death, has been cited as potentially contributing to his later behavior.<ref name="netflix"/>		Additionally, Hernandez's attorneys later revealed that he had been sexually molested by a male babysitter as a child, an experience corroborated by his older brother, DJ Hernandez. This childhood trauma, combined with his father's abuse and sudden death, has been cited as potentially contributing to his later behavior.<ref name="netflix"/>
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	Hernandez enrolled at the University of Florida in 2007, where he played for the Florida Gators under coach Urban Meyer. Despite concerns about his maturity and off-field behavior—including failed drug tests—Hernandez emerged as one of the most dynamic tight ends in college football.<ref name="si">{{cite web \|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2013/06/27/aaron-hernandez-new-england-patriots-character-concerns \|title=How the Patriots overlooked character concerns to draft Aaron Hernandez \|publisher=Sports Illustrated \|date=June 27, 2013}}</ref>		Hernandez enrolled at the University of Florida in 2007, where he played for the Florida Gators under coach Urban Meyer. Despite concerns about his maturity and off-field behavior—including failed drug tests—Hernandez emerged as one of the most dynamic tight ends in college football.<ref name="si">{{cite web \|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2013/06/27/aaron-hernandez-new-england-patriots-character-concerns \|title=How the Patriots overlooked character concerns to draft Aaron Hernandez \|publisher=Sports Illustrated \|date=June 27, 2013}}</ref>
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	In 2008, as a sophomore, Hernandez caught a crucial touchdown pass in the BCS National Championship Game, helping Florida defeat Oklahoma 24-14. In 2009, he earned consensus first-team All-American honors.		In 2008, as a sophomore, Hernandez caught a crucial touchdown pass in the BCS National Championship Game, helping Florida defeat Oklahoma 24-14. In 2009, he earned consensus first-team All-American honors.
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	Following an impressive 2011 season in which he caught 79 passes for 910 yards and 7 touchdowns, Hernandez signed a five-year, $40 million contract extension with the Patriots—one of the largest contracts ever given to an NFL tight end at that time.<ref name="contract">{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8316284/aaron-hernandez-new-england-patriots-agree-extension \|title=Aaron Hernandez agrees to extension \|publisher=ESPN \|date=August 27, 2012}}</ref>		Following an impressive 2011 season in which he caught 79 passes for 910 yards and 7 touchdowns, Hernandez signed a five-year, $40 million contract extension with the Patriots—one of the largest contracts ever given to an NFL tight end at that time.<ref name="contract">{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8316284/aaron-hernandez-new-england-patriots-agree-extension \|title=Aaron Hernandez agrees to extension \|publisher=ESPN \|date=August 27, 2012}}</ref>
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	In 2012, Hernandez scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVI, although the Patriots lost to the New York Giants.		In 2012, Hernandez scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVI, although the Patriots lost to the New York Giants.
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	Surveillance footage showed Lloyd entering a car with Hernandez and two associates, Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz, hours before his death. Text messages from Lloyd to his sister identified Hernandez as one of the men with him. Security cameras at Hernandez's home captured him holding what appeared to be a firearm shortly after the murder.<ref name="nyt">{{cite web \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/sports/football/aaron-hernandez-murder-trial-verdict.html \|title=Aaron Hernandez Guilty of Murder in Death of Odin Lloyd \|publisher=The New York Times \|date=April 15, 2015}}</ref>		Surveillance footage showed Lloyd entering a car with Hernandez and two associates, Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz, hours before his death. Text messages from Lloyd to his sister identified Hernandez as one of the men with him. Security cameras at Hernandez's home captured him holding what appeared to be a firearm shortly after the murder.<ref name="nyt">{{cite web \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/sports/football/aaron-hernandez-murder-trial-verdict.html \|title=Aaron Hernandez Guilty of Murder in Death of Odin Lloyd \|publisher=The New York Times \|date=April 15, 2015}}</ref>
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	=== Arrest ===		=== Arrest ===

	On June 26, 2013, Hernandez was arrested at his home and charged with first-degree murder and five weapon-related charges. The New England Patriots released him from the team approximately 90 minutes later, before being officially informed of the specific charges.<ref name="patriots">{{cite web \|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/statement-from-the-new-england-patriots-x5645 \|title=Statement from the New England Patriots \|publisher=New England Patriots \|date=June 26, 2013}}</ref>		On June 26, 2013, Hernandez was arrested at his home and charged with first-degree murder and five weapon-related charges. The New England Patriots released him from the team approximately 90 minutes later, before being officially informed of the specific charges.<ref name="patriots">{{cite web \|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/statement-from-the-new-england-patriots-x5645 \|title=Statement from the New England Patriots \|publisher=New England Patriots \|date=June 26, 2013}}</ref>
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	=== Trial and Conviction ===		=== Trial and Conviction ===
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	While serving his life sentence, Hernandez was indicted for the July 2012 murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, who were shot in their car in Boston's South End after an altercation at a nightclub.<ref name="double">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/04/14/aaron-hernandez-acquitted-double-murder/WnGYZvGZmGXxvmkBxqzVnL/story.html \|title=Aaron Hernandez acquitted of 2012 double murder \|publisher=The Boston Globe \|date=April 14, 2017}}</ref>		While serving his life sentence, Hernandez was indicted for the July 2012 murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, who were shot in their car in Boston's South End after an altercation at a nightclub.<ref name="double">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/04/14/aaron-hernandez-acquitted-double-murder/WnGYZvGZmGXxvmkBxqzVnL/story.html \|title=Aaron Hernandez acquitted of 2012 double murder \|publisher=The Boston Globe \|date=April 14, 2017}}</ref>
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	On April 14, 2017, Hernandez was acquitted of all charges in the double murder case.<ref name="double"/>		On April 14, 2017, Hernandez was acquitted of all charges in the double murder case.<ref name="double"/>
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	Five days after his acquittal, on April 19, 2017, at approximately 3:05 a.m., Hernandez was found hanged in his cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts. He had used a bedsheet attached to his cell window. He was 27 years old.<ref name="death">{{cite web \|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/19/us/aaron-hernandez-dead/index.html \|title=Aaron Hernandez hangs himself in prison cell \|publisher=CNN \|date=April 19, 2017}}</ref>		Five days after his acquittal, on April 19, 2017, at approximately 3:05 a.m., Hernandez was found hanged in his cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts. He had used a bedsheet attached to his cell window. He was 27 years old.<ref name="death">{{cite web \|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/19/us/aaron-hernandez-dead/index.html \|title=Aaron Hernandez hangs himself in prison cell \|publisher=CNN \|date=April 19, 2017}}</ref>
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	Hernandez left no suicide note, but the walls of his cell were found marked with biblical verses and the phrase "John 3:16" written in blood.<ref name="death"/>		Hernandez left no suicide note, but the walls of his cell were found marked with biblical verses and the phrase "John 3:16" written in blood.<ref name="death"/>
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	Under the Massachusetts legal doctrine of abatement ab initio, Hernandez's murder conviction was initially vacated in May 2017 because he died before his appeal could be heard. This meant Hernandez legally died an innocent man.<ref name="vacate">{{cite web \|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2017/05/aaron_hernandez_murder_convict.html \|title=Aaron Hernandez murder conviction vacated \|publisher=MassLive \|date=May 9, 2017}}</ref>		Under the Massachusetts legal doctrine of abatement ab initio, Hernandez's murder conviction was initially vacated in May 2017 because he died before his appeal could be heard. This meant Hernandez legally died an innocent man.<ref name="vacate">{{cite web \|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2017/05/aaron_hernandez_murder_convict.html \|title=Aaron Hernandez murder conviction vacated \|publisher=MassLive \|date=May 9, 2017}}</ref>
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	However, in March 2019, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled to reinstate Hernandez's conviction, declaring the abatement doctrine "outdated and no longer consonant with the circumstances of contemporary life."<ref name="reinstate">{{cite web \|url=https://www.mass.gov/news/sjc-reverses-trial-court-ruling-reinstates-aaron-hernandez-murder-conviction \|title=SJC Reverses Trial Court Ruling, Reinstates Aaron Hernandez Murder Conviction \|publisher=Massachusetts Courts \|date=March 13, 2019}}</ref>		However, in March 2019, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled to reinstate Hernandez's conviction, declaring the abatement doctrine "outdated and no longer consonant with the circumstances of contemporary life."<ref name="reinstate">{{cite web \|url=https://www.mass.gov/news/sjc-reverses-trial-court-ruling-reinstates-aaron-hernandez-murder-conviction \|title=SJC Reverses Trial Court Ruling, Reinstates Aaron Hernandez Murder Conviction \|publisher=Massachusetts Courts \|date=March 13, 2019}}</ref>
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	== CTE Diagnosis ==		== CTE Diagnosis ==
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	* '''Netflix Documentary''': ''Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez'' (2020) explored his life, crimes, and the CTE findings<ref name="netflix"/>		* '''Netflix Documentary''': ''Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez'' (2020) explored his life, crimes, and the CTE findings<ref name="netflix"/>
	* '''FX Series''': ''American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez'' (2024) dramatized his rise and fall<ref name="fx">{{cite web \|url=https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/american-sports-story \|title=American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez \|publisher=FX \|date=2024}}</ref>		* '''FX Series''': ''American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez'' (2024) dramatized his rise and fall<ref name="fx">{{cite web \|url=https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/american-sports-story \|title=American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez \|publisher=FX \|date=2024}}</ref>
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	His case raised significant questions about:		His case raised significant questions about:
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	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Aaron Hernandez - NFL Murder Case \| Prisonpedia		\|title=Aaron Hernandez - NFL Murder Case \| Prisonpedia
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	\|description=Explore Aaron Hernandez's fall from NFL stardom to murder conviction. Learn about the ex-Patriots tight end's legal battles and prison experience.		\|description=Explore Aaron Hernandez's fall from NFL stardom to murder conviction. Learn about the ex-Patriots tight end's legal battles and prison experience.
	\|keywords=Aaron Hernandez, NFL, Patriots, murder conviction, CTE, federal prison, tight end		\|keywords=Aaron Hernandez, NFL, Patriots, murder conviction, CTE, federal prison, tight end

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	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|~~title_mode~~=~~append~~		\|title=Aaron Hernandez - NFL Murder Case \| Prisonpedia
	\|~~title_separator= -~~ Prisonpedia
	\|description=Explore Aaron Hernandez's fall from NFL stardom to murder conviction. Learn about the ex-Patriots tight end's legal battles and prison experience.		\|description=Explore Aaron Hernandez's fall from NFL stardom to murder conviction. Learn about the ex-Patriots tight end's legal battles and prison experience.
	\|keywords=Aaron Hernandez, NFL, Patriots, murder conviction, CTE, federal prison, tight end		\|keywords=Aaron Hernandez, NFL, Patriots, murder conviction, CTE, federal prison, tight end

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	~~{{MetaDescription\|Learn about Aaron Hernandez's federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}~~
	{{Infobox Person		{{Infobox Person
	\| name = Aaron Hernandez		\| name = Aaron Hernandez
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	\|locale=en_US		\|locale=en_US
	}}		}}

			{{MetaDescription\|Learn about Aaron Hernandez's federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}

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			{{MetaDescription\|Learn about Aaron Hernandez's federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}
	{{Infobox Person		{{Infobox Person
	\| name = Aaron Hernandez		\| name = Aaron Hernandez

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	<references />		<references />

	~~{{MetaDescription\|Explore Aaron Hernandez's fall from NFL stardom to murder conviction. Learn about the ex-Patriots tight end's legal battles and prison experience.}}~~
	[[Category:High-Profile Federal Offenders]]		[[Category:High-Profile Federal Offenders]]
			{{#seo:
			\|title_mode=append
			\|title_separator= - Prisonpedia
			\|description=Explore Aaron Hernandez's fall from NFL stardom to murder conviction. Learn about the ex-Patriots tight end's legal battles and prison experience.
			\|keywords=Aaron Hernandez, NFL, Patriots, murder conviction, CTE, federal prison, tight end
			\|type=profile
			\|site_name=Prisonpedia
			\|locale=en_US
			}}

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	== See Also ==		== See Also ==
	* [[High-Profile Federal Offenders]]		* [[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders\|High-Profile Federal Offenders]]