Aaron Hernandez Commits Suicide: Prison Officials

SHIRLEY, MA — Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots tight end serving life without parole for murder, was found dead in his prison cell early Wednesday morning, according to the Department of Corrections. The DOC said he used his bed sheet to hang himself. Hernandez had been acquitted of a 2012 double-murder just five days ago.

Correctional officers at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley found Hernandez hanging in his cell around 3:05 a.m., according to a DOC statement. An attempt was made to revive him, and he was transported to UMass Leominster, where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m.

Hernandez, 27, was in a single cell in general population. According to the DOC, he attached a bed sheet to his cell window and attempted to block the door from the inside by jamming it with several items. He was found with a reference to the Bible verse John 3:16 written on his forehead, according to reports.

Hernandez's defense attorney Jose Baez said in a statement Hernandez's family and legal team are "shocked and surprised" and those who care about him are "determined to find the truth surrounding his untimely death." Baez said his firm will conduct its own investigation into the death.

Read the full statement from the Baez Law Firm below:

"The family and legal team is shocked and surprised at the news of Aaron’s death. There were no conversations or correspondence from Aaron to his family or legal team that would have indicated anything like this was possible. Aaron was looking forward to an opportunity for a second chance to prove his innocence. Those who love and care about him are heartbroken and determined to find the truth surrounding his untimely death. We request that authorities conduct a transparent and thorough investigation.

The Baez Law Firm will participate in its own examination into this tragic event and update the media and public on its findings when they become available."

Brian Murphy, Hernandez's former agent, tweeted that there was "no chance" the former Patriot took his own life.

Hernandez's death comes as the New England Patriots head to the White House on Wednesday to celebrate their Super Bowl win. A team spokesperson told local outlets the Patriots are aware of Hernandez's death but are not expected to comment today. Find your local Patch and keep up with local news alerts and newsletters.

Hernandez was found not guilty April 14 of the murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in Boston's South End in 2012. He was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and sentenced to four to five years in a state prison, to run separate from the life sentence he was serving for the June 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd.

The former Patriots star was convicted two years ago of murdering Lloyd, 27, in an industrial park in North Attleborough.

Under the abatement doctrine, a state law, when a criminal defendant dies pending an appeal, the conviction is vacated and the indictments dismissed. Since Hernandez receives an automatic appeal to the state Supreme Judicial Court for his first-degree murder conviction, his defense attorneys can seek a dismissal of the conviction.

Two high-profile Massachusetts criminals had their convictions vacated: Defrocked Catholic Priest Father John Geoghan, convicted of sexually abusing children, was strangled by a fellow inmate at Souza-Baranowski in 2004, and Brookline abortion clinic shooter John C. Salvi III committed suicide at MCI-Cedar Junction in 1996.

Despite his NFL success, Hernandez, a native of Bristol, Connecticut, struggled to escape a life of drugs and violence. Legal troubles plagued him as far back as his time at the University of Florida.

He started at tight end for the Gators' 2008 national championship team and had his fair share of troubles with the police in Gainesville, according to a 2013 New York Times report. He and three teammates were questioned after a 2007 shooting and police recommended a felony battery charge against him after a separate altercation at a restaurant. The case was not pursued.

Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey, Hernandez's former teammate at the University of Florida, said in an Instagram post that the two had talked "just a day ago."

"I will forever miss you and love you bro," Pouncey wrote.

Hernandez was a 2012 fourth-round draft pick out of Florida. He played three seasons with quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski, forming one of the most formidable offenses in the NFL. He was rewarded in August 2012 with a five-year, $40 million contract.

He had killed Lloyd just one month prior.

"This is a shocking and sad end to a very tragic series of events that has negatively impacted a number of families," Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a statement Wednesday.

Hernandez's death is being investigated by the Worcester County District Attorney's office.

Lisa Redmond (Patch Staff) contributed to this report.

Photo by Josh Reynolds/The Boston Globe via AP