Aaron Hernandez Laid To Rest In CT

BRISTOL, CT — A private service was held Monday for former NFL player, and Bristol native, Aaron Hernandez, 27, who committed suicide last week in prison where he was serving a life sentence for murder.

Hernandez's body was moved from Massachusetts to the O'Brien Funeral Home in Bristol over the weekend. His three suicide notes, which had been held by investigators, were ordered to be released to his family on Monday.

Loved ones of the former Bristol Central High School graduate were seen entering the funeral home Monday afternoon to pay their respects to Hernandez, reports ABC News. Hernandez had been convicted of 2015 murder of Odin Lloyd, a one-time friend.

In a statement, Hernandez's family asked for privacy to allow them to grieve. Bristol police temporarily closed the street of the funeral home to keep the press and onlookers at a distance.

Following the services, Hernandez's body will be cremated, reports The Washington Post. His brain has been preserved and will be studied for any evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a disorder caused by blows to the head, reports NBC News.

Photo: Aaron Hernandez. Photo credit: Josh Reynolds/The Boston Globe via AP