The Massachusetts Department of Corrections reported on early Wednesday morning that former NFL standout and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez had committed suicide inside his prison cell. He was 27.
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The full statement:
"On April 19, 2017 Aaron Hernandez was discovered hanged in his cell by corrections officers at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley Massachussets at approximately 3:05 a.m., lifesaving techniques were attempted on Mr. Hernandez and he was transported to UMASS Leominster where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m. by a physician at the hospital. Mr. Hernandez was in a single cell in a general population housing unit. Mr. Hernandez hanged himself utilizing a bed sheet that he attached to his cell window. Mr. Hernandez also attempted to block his door from the inside by jamming the door with various items. The Massachusetts State Police are on scene and the investigation continues. Mr. Hernandez's next of kin have been notified."
Hernandez was acquitted of the murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado last week, but he was still serving a life sentence for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. Prosecutors had alleged that the two cases were related, and Hernandez's legal team was set to try and get the Lloyd case overturned following the acquittal.
Hernandez was drafted in 2010 by the New England Patriots after a standout career as a tight end at the University of Florida. His NFL career came to a stunning end in June of 2013 when he was arrested for the murder of Lloyd after a short investigation.
KEY MOMENTS IN THE AARON HERNANDEZ TRIAL:
Hernandez legal team likely to look to overturn Odin Lloyd murder conviction
Jury officially delivers not guilty verdict in Hernandez double-murder trial
The defense infuriates the judge by injecting racism in to the trial
The jury asks a key question that has observers scrambling
Aaron Hernandez's blockbuster witness didn't show to testify
A one-eyed drug dealer testified against Aaron Hernandez and made a stunning admission
Aaron Hernandez may have gotten a big break
