Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez, who had been serving a lifestyle sentence for that murder conviction and just days ago was acquitted of an double murder, died after hanging himself in their prison cell early Wednesday, Massachusetts prisons officials said.
Hernandez, 27, is discovered by guards within the cell in the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley after 3 a.m., Department of Correction spokesman Christopher Fallon said inside a statement.
The former New England Patriots tight end was pronounced dead at UMass Memorial-HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster about an hour later.
Hernandez was a student in one particular cell in the general population housing unit inside the maximum security state prison. He hanged himself utilizing a bed sheet he connected to a cell window, Fallon said.
Hernandez attemptedto block the cell door internally by jamming the with items, Fallon said.
Fallon said he’s unaware of any suicide note provided by Hernandez and stressed that an investigation is ongoing. He explained that officials did not have concern that Hernandez was considering taking his own life, in case there’s a problem about his well-being, Hernandez could have been transferred to a mental health unit.
Hernandez was gone after tears on Friday after he was acquitted of your 2012 fatal shootings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in Boston. Right before his acquittal, Hernandez was seen blowing kisses to the daughter he fathered with fiance Shayanna Jenkins. Cameras captured the tender exchange.
But, Hernandez had been serving a lifestyle sentence minus the prospect of parole for his conviction in the 2013 shooting of Odin Lloyd, merely dating his fiancee’s sister.
Hernandez’s lawyers wouldn’t immediately interact with a obtain comment.
Hernandez’s death comes within 24 hours the Patriots are responsible for their vacation to the White House now to mark their Super Bowl win. Team spokesman Stacey James said the Patriots were mindful of the reports of Hernandez’s death but didn’t anticipate the club commenting Wednesday.
Massachusetts State Police stay on the scene investigating the death.
